It's been 2 months. Only 2 months? It feels like a lifetime and so much has changed. In two month's time, it seems that Noble has made the progress I expected in two years. In one month's time, I felt that he'd progressed as much as I would have expected after one whole year. Leaps and bounds, trials under our belts, memories made...we've been through so much together already. We've bonded.
Noble. He is a sweet and sensitive child. He is genuinely precious. He is deep for such a young boy. He is tender and nurturing, compassionate and thoughtful, orderly and obedient, gentle and forgiving. He can be stubborn (which accounts for almost all of our initial trials really), but he is also teachable and he's learning to trust.
Noble is a tender soul, a thinker. He is diligent and reliable. He strikes me as the type of person who will have integrity and care to do the right thing...even when "no one" is looking. He understands prayer and eagerly thanks Jesus for his family and his food. He sincerely says, "thank you" when he's given almost anything. He replies with, "you're welcome" when we give him thanks. He accepts an apology with a sincere, "it's okay" when he is wronged. His English is coming along very well.
Noble has vast potential and wholeheartedly we pray that his life will stand for noble things. We know God brought this child into our lives with purpose. We know He united us with intentionality. Nothing God does returns void. His plans are trustworthy and good.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:10-11
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:10-11
Lord, as I reflect today upon the past two months with our sweet Noble, I can see how the challenges of tough (really tough) beginnings planted seeds of depth in our relationship. I can see how the toil of grappling leads to a harvest. Though it is not yet time to reap a complete harvest, I'm able to see a glimpse of where you're heading with this child and this relationship and I praise you! Thank you for grafting this little boy, so similar-hearted, into our family.
Thank you for your wisdom and providence. Thank you for what you have already done in such a short time and for all that we can expect you to do in and through Noble. May we continue to run the race with perseverance as we rear him toward you. May we aim our son intently toward eternity. May his life testify of your mercy and grace. And, may you, Lord,
receive praise and honor because of what you have done. Amen.
"But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands."
Isaiah 32:8
