And so, in an attempt to make sense of some of the "sore thumb" feelings I tend to battle periodically I ventured back in time this evening to read some blogs I used to make the time to read when we were initially researching adoption years ago. How fun to see even more adopted children welcomed into some seriously amazing families with hearts so big, they've somehow made our 8 seem small. I'm encouraged.
Is it possible for sore thumbs to fit in with the other sore thumbs of the world? Tonight I'm thinking yes. Reading stories of large adoptive families this evening has ministered to me greatly as sounds of sleeping little ones surround me. Link after link, the Lord "introduced me" to other families who share a similar mission and vision to that which He's given us. For that matter, being a visual person, just even putting my eyes on these big, beautiful families has offered council to my sappy heart.
Rarely do I stay up late, but tonight God clearly had some encouragement in store for me. Inhale, exhale, bedsheets rustle as my little best friends rearrange while I read. Gratitude wells up. After all, it was a long day. I couldn't possibly love them more.
As we embrace the children we've been blessed with and feel open-hearted to welcoming more, feelings of sore thumbness creep in to discourage...and wouldn't that just make the enemy so proud? So, in the spirit of faith-filled trust and rejoicing in comradery, I am saying no to discouragement, no to feelings of inadequacy, no to putting boundaries on a limitless, awesome God. We are, let's face it, completely inadequate no matter how many children we have. But God, He is able. He is always able. And, He loves children. So do we.
Thanks to all the other sore thumb, jumbo sized, adoptive family blog writers out there who've managed to make me feel "normal" tonight, I'm pushing aside feelings of doubt as we prayerfully consider all that God has done and all He's yet to do with our simple little family. Here's to sore thumbs fitting in.
"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me." Matthew 18:5
Just for kicks, but hopefully some inspiration
and encouragement as well,
here is a sampling of a few of the families who've been able to encourage me tonight:
It's a blessing to see what God is up to in these willing-spirited lives!
