beWARM

I have a special name for each of my grandchildren ~ Fabulenza, Theo the Magnificent, and The Divine Miss V (Hallowed Vera was a close second.) The love we have for these three little bundles of life and joy is beyond description.

I am sure that every grandparent can relate.

Most of us have ample heartspace for the children and grandchildren of our friends and families too. Our daughters are fortunate to have Great-Grandparents as well as a cadre of Aunts and Uncles who love them fully – and are at the ready whenever encouragement is needed.  And some are not even part of our immediate family!

Not all babies are fortunate enough to have such a welcoming committee.

Thankfully, many of these little ones are lovingly taken in and embraced by adoptive parents. I know many of these very fortunate children, and have utmost admiration and respect for their moms and dads.

Preparing to adopt a child lacks the physical experience of pregnancy – but requires emotional calisthenics and courage of a different sort.

All parents know that initial shock that sets in when we realize that life as we once knew it is, well…over. I liken this feeling to jumping into the icy plunge pool at Ten Thousand Waves. (Why my daughters find this torture invigorating I’ll never understand.)

Aside from the abrupt lifestyle change, adoptive parents also must accept their lack of knowledge about their child’s family of origin – though there are some exceptions to this.

When our children are quirky, we can put the blame on Great Aunt Agnes – or that weird cousin, twice removed.  Adoptive parents don’t have that option.

With hope and faith, they “take the baton” from the birth parents, bravely traversing the next laps of the parenting marathon in a most generous way.  What lucky children, to be on the receiving end of this expansive love.

We know and appreciate that feeling of specialness as God’s adopted children.  He casts no one aside.  And, like most parents, He is always there to welcome us back if we have drifted away.

His love for us is unfailing – even if He doesn’t like how we are acting. I, for one, should thank God for such largesse more frequently than I do.

And to all parents ~ this is the Supreme Standard we should live by.

For I have always been mindful of your unfailing love, and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. ~Psalm 26:3