Mei Mei is doing well. Really well. She is sweet and loving and happy. She is an “easy” child who goes-with-the-flow and fits into our large, crazy family perfectly. She delights in everything life has to offer. Mei Mei has been our easiest child to transition. She LOVES having a family, and she LOVES being loved. She is blossoming before our very eyes.
I find her easy transition ironic because coming to terms with the magnitude of her delays has been challenging.
In the beginning, I felt overwhelmed. I felt overcome with worry. I worried about how to best address her delays, where to take her for testing, how to access services, how to prepare her for school.
I worried about school in general, how she would fit in socially, how an appropriate classroom could be found. I worried about whether she would succeed, graduate, get a job, live independently.
Yes, I am sorry to say my worry was going out a decade and more, even when she had only been home a week!
But then something wonderful happened. God stopped by. At least, His hands and feet did.
My wonderful friend, Cheryl, listened to me as I poured my worries out. Across the phone lines, she was my nonjudgemental sounding board and praying partner. I cried. She cried with me.
Ten minutes after our conversation ended, Cheryl called back. She was bringing us dinner and wouldn’t listen to all my reasons why she shouldn’t.
It was the full meal deal with homemade soup, bread, salad, and brownies. Comfort food.
She spent the afternoon with us, delighting in watching our children interact together. And then she shared a recent sermon she had heard. When we worry, we aren’t trusting God. Instead of giving it all to Him, we try to figure it out all alone–all by ourselves. We feel overwhelmed, because we know we can’t solve our problems.
But God can.
And we have to turn our worry into worship, fully trusting that He is going to lead the way. We can do our part (like making appointments), but then we have to leave the rest to Him.
So true.
So now, when I worry, I turn my worry into worship. Often, I have to do it all over again 5 minutes later–I’m a slow learner! Each time, I feel the burden on my shoulders lift as I praise God, knowing that He has a plan. A great plan so much bigger than I can ever imagine.
A plan I am blessed to be part of.
A plan that brought this angel into our lives.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
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Ann Henderson currently finds herself wife to one and mom of ten, including a son in heaven and a daughter waiting in China. Several of her children are adopted
So, so, so, so, SOOOOO true!
I sent this link to my mother-in-law who is worrying about an altogether different kind of transition: my father-in-law had amputee surgery recently. I pray she will glean from your message like I did!
Thank you!!
Amy
I love this way of dealing with worry! Turn it to worship is just the antidote. I’m with you, this exchange needs to happen many times a day, but oh how effective it is!
perfect timing on the reminder for me! thanks so much….
Amy, my thoughts are with your fil–what a difficult time and I can imagine the worry going on. I hope God will work through my words to help your mil.
Beth, I love the “antidote” word and yes, I have to do it over and over again every day, sometimes every minute!
What a wonderful reminder! I like your phrase, “then God stopped by.” How beautiful. God stops by often – if only we would hear Him. We are just beginning our adoption journey. I have been so encouraged by reading the journeys of others. God bless you and your family!