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For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
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These are some great books to encourage you.
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A Child's Love: The Father's Heart - by Tina Nahid
Posted on Tuesday, January 20 @ 09:15:17 PST by admin |
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Stumbling into the kitchen, my husband and I were greeted by two sets of eyes as big as saucers staring up into ours and then immediately scanning down to the bundle of brown skin and black curls hanging from my chest. My, how we had missed our boys on this long journey to Africa! Bringing home our little girl from across the world was no small feat, as it took a toll on us both mentally and physically. But oh, how well worth it she was!
Immediately, I bent down to show Ellie to my sons. My 4 year-old, Micah reached out his hand to caress her hair and smiled a sheepish little smile. They were both giggling nervously as they were shyly hugging her. Micah said, "Mommy, I love my new sister." My heart was so warmed at their open acceptance and love for her from the very beginning.
How our hearts have been changed experiencing this miracle of adoption within our family! My sons welcomed Ellie with such open arms of love. I truly saw God at work through this entire bonding process. I believe the Lord prepared the hearts of my sons in the year prior to Ellie coming home to us in many ways.
We read a variety of books about adoption together and often discussed what this would look like in our own family. I took them to various website to look at pictures of orphaned children and the surroundings and poverty in which they lived. We watched movies and/or documentaries of orphaned and impoverished children. We talked at dinner time about what it must feel like to be all alone, orphaned and abandoned, with no father or mother to take care of us. We didn't try to hide the unpleasant details from our children that so many orphans have to endure daily. We shared about God's deep love for the fatherless; we prayed each night for children all over the world, and for our little girl in particular.
Yet, with all these good "ways" of preparing the hearts of our sons to accept their sister, it would have all been utterly in vain were it not for the Lord's Spirit breathing upon us and blessing us with His favor. Children are sensitive to the Spirit, quite often more so than adults. They have the "child-like faith" that is so precious in God's eyes. Often, my sons have been a source of profound encouragement to me in my own weaknesses. They have lifted me up during this journey of adoption by their innocent remarks and comments. They are sweetly oblivious to the stares of others when they see us all together calling one another "Mommy" and "brother," "Daddy" and "sister." Color makes no difference to them. In their eyes, we are all one in our Lord, as it should be.
It is difficult to find words to describe just how truly blessed I have been by all of my children. They have touched my life profoundly and have revealed the heart of my Father in heaven more clearly to me than before. May we never underestimate the blessing of children in our lives, and the amazing witness they can be of the Father's love.
Note: Tina Nahid is a stay-at-home wife of her sweet husband Nami and mother of 3 children; Abraham, Micah and Ellie. She currently resides in Hopkinsville, KY where she enjoys writing devotionals, reading, exercising, serving in her local church, spending time with her family and dreaming of full-time mission work with orphans one day. You can visit Tina at her blog at www.pursuingmicah68.blogspot.com.
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Average Score: 5
Votes: 2
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