We’re adopted
Luke is 5 months old. For those of you who aren’t familiar with his story, we found out a few days before Luke’s birth that he would join our family. He was placed in Melissa and Josh’s arms a couple of days after his birth, and for that we’ll always be grateful.
He’s a funny little guy. Okay, scratch the little part. He’s a hoss. At 5 months, he’s the size of most 10 month olds. He also has a huge personality. He loves nothing more than being surprised and his laugh delights us. Last week I had Luke overnight and when his mom and dad came to pick him up, he snuggled into his mama’s arms and then gave her several sweet open mouth baby kisses.
When I think of Luke, I think of the verse in scripture that speaks of adoption. How we have become sons and daughters of God by Christ’s selfless act on the cross.
When Luke became a member of our family, he received everything we have to give. Our love, and lots of it. Our material goods. An extended family who couldn’t imagine life without him in it.
I can’t imagine loving a little boy more, but if I love Luke this much, how much does this say about God’s love? He chose you and me to be His, to give us His name. To give us all that He has to offer — but in a God-sized measure. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
11:43 am |
special, special guest on Moms Together
What do you do when the child you prayed for arrives, but you discover they have special needs?
What do you do when you don’t know how to communicate with that beautiful child?
What do you do when you discover that what seems to be silent on the exterior reveals intelligence and depth and a cry to be noticed on the interior?
My guest all day today at Moms Together is Ginnie (Virginia) Brinn, author of an extraordinary new book called I Am In Here. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
4:31 am |
To live free: believe in the impossible
One of my heroes is a man who fought for his marriage when it seemed impossible.
“I’d leave,” one advised.
“Turn, and never look back,” said another.
To be honest. It made sense. He had a biblical foundation to give up on his marriage, but he refused. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
3:12 am |
Walking in a new direction: when marriage is hard
Go gently through this day, keeping your eyes on me. . . Sometimes the way before you appears to be blocked. If you focus on the obstacle or search for a way around it, you will probably go off course.
(Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, page 305)
A marriage was in trouble. She felt as if she couldn’t stay in it anymore.
“Suzie, why would God want me to stay when I just don’t feel it anymore? He’s the one who changed, not me.”
As I listened to her grievances, I didn’t try to advise her. I’ve never walked in her footsteps. My heart would be broken if my husband had changed from the man I married. It wasn’t infidelity. It wasn’t abuse. But it was a huge loss to the woman who once felt as one with the man she loved.
I did promise to pray. To believe with her. And while she was waiting, I asked if it was possible to focus on what He offered her in the difficult part of our “I do’s”.
“I don’t think that’s possible,” she said.
Later I saw her FB status updates, her blog posts. Something was happening.
Words of simple faith started appearing. Scriptures that promised to sustain us in the hard places. Words that spoke life into her. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
3:55 am |
Walking in a new direction: a defensive move
Have you ever had a conflict with someone, and it was all their fault?
A few years ago I wrestled with feelings of helplessness over a close relationship that wasn’t as strong as it should be. I determined that I would work on the relationship. That I would use good communication tools. That I’d refuse to engage.
But then I butted heads with this person again. And again. It just seemed impossible.
It’s not my fault, I reasoned. I’m not the one being aggressive. I’m not the one who is easily offended.
One day as I prayed, God gently showed me something: I wasn’t treating this person the same as I would others.
What? That’s not true. I’m doing all the right things. I’m saying the right things.
Not in your heart, you’re not.
That day I resolved not to outwardly change, but to begin to change on the inside. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
9:16 am |
Walking in a new direction: marriage – temptation
“Seriously?”
Has it ever happened to you? A marriage that you thought was loving and solid fell apart because a new person entered the picture. Your heart is heavy. You want to reach out. You don’t know what to say, or do.
But then you look at your own marriage. If it happened to them, could it happen to you? (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
3:31 am |
He’s a funny little guy. Okay, scratch the little part. He’s a hoss. At 5 months, he’s the size of most 10 month olds. He also has a huge personality. He loves nothing more than being surprised and his laugh delights us. Last week I had Luke overnight and when his mom and dad came to pick him up, he snuggled into his mama’s arms and then gave her several sweet open mouth baby kisses.
