Friday, April 24, 2015

love

nearly 4 years ago, that word took on a different meaning in this heart of mine.

i became the mom to a broken little boy that hadn't known what a mom was for the first 4 years of his life. i opened my arms and heart wide, i smiled big and answered all the questions. i had no idea where this road was taking us - he and i - but i knew God had put us together so we were walking forward, moment by moment.

{on the floor of the airport in ethiopia. telling him "i love you" in his language. we only had touch and facial expressions to share...and i wanted to SPEAK words to his heart so badly.}

my heart has been bruised, hurt and abused by the brokenness that has poured out of this little boy. and his heart has been bruised, hurt and abused by the brokenness that has poured out of my heart. i was not prepared for any of it. i just wasn't. and i haven't responded well all the time. we've hurt each other so many times, sometimes on purpose, and sometimes just because we're so entwined in each other that our sin pours out and it's effects are far-reaching.


he is so quick to forgive. i try to be quick to ask for that forgiveness.
we aren't perfect at any of it, and i think we've both learned we can't do this in our own strength. we keep going to the only One that can help us. we pray together. we talk about who God is and how much He loves us no matter what. sometimes we look at each other with lies in our eyes, but looking to God always proves true. so that's where we go.
we are still waiting with hope that he will trust us one day. that his need to take care of himself and his anxiety in the world around him will fade away, and he will let us take care of him.
the tension in our relationship is as much my heart not trusting as it is his heart not trusting. when i say that i love this little boy, it's not the hallmark-valentines-day kind of love. i love this little boy through all my sin, through all his brokenness and only because God is with us every step of the way. it's a messy, hard, beautiful, strong love that i believe with ALL my heart will be fully redeemed one day. and, until then, i will not stop loving him no matter what our moments look like.
{the difference in the above and below pictures are 1 year. the day i started homeschooling him. and a year later.}
many say that lincoln is "lucky" to be in our family. but the real truth is that, because of this amazing little boy, every member of our family has grown and changed and seen who God REALLY is and who we really are and how much we all need Jesus every moment of every day. and what a BIG and DEEP thing LOVE truly is.


 And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
{from Our God, by Chris Tomlin
the song i picked to play with our "at the airport" slideshow.
i had NO idea how perfect the words would be...}


cassada homecoming! from jenn gorrie on Vimeo.

9 comments:

Leah Adams said...

Oh my, how beautiful! I stopped in from Lori's linkup. How magnificently God is using you to change the life of this child....and He is using this precious little boy to change your life. Iron sharpening iron...so lovely. So glad I stopped in.

Christine said...

Your journey always amazes me. Your devotion, your faith and your strength always inspire me.

Shannon Evans said...

I'm so glad to have found you via Lori's linkup. It seems like we have a lot in common, I would love to connect more. Be looking for creepy social media stalking ;)

Unknown said...

Found my way here from Lori's linkup, and am glad I did. ;)

Unknown said...

Came over from Lori's link-up. Thank you for these honest beautiful words. What courage you all have.

Katy said...

Love this. All of it. The good, bad, and ugly. Can not wait to see how God is going to use this story. ..the WHOLE story to show His faithfulness in incredible ways! Love you, love him, love how God brought you together! !

Unknown said...

WOW we serve a mighty God! I am so in love with this journey of yours and seeing all that He will redeem through this amazing little boy that He has entrusted to you that I simply cannot keep from smiling. It will be such a wonderful story for Lincoln to share someday how God showed him such love through a family that loved him so well.

Unknown said...

Now I'm all weepy, friend! I'm so glad you shared your story and even more grateful to have this backdrop to the story you tell on Instagram. I love social media. You've encouraged my heart that aches to love well.
<3

Unknown said...

Your words are beautiful as is your love for Lincoln.