No more orphan spirit!!

There are no orphans in the kingdom of heaven! There are only sons and daughters!!!

I rarely post about the difficulties that come with adopting children who have had traumatic pasts. Partly, that is because there are significantly more blessings than there are difficulties, and partly it is because we all have difficulties and I do not want to make too much of my own children's struggles.

But the truth is, parenting a child with a traumatic past is sometimes hard. It is often (although not always) different than parenting a child who has grown up knowing the love of their family and of God. Children who continue to hold onto an orphan spirit, often struggle with trust and assurance of their family's love for them. They may be mature in other ways, but emotionally they can be years behind their actual age. It is easy for a parent, who truly wants to love their precious child, to feel a level of despair for the lack of trust that the child experiences.

I have experienced this despair at times. But, over the past couple of weeks, God has been graciouly showing me how this despair is really lack of trust in Him. A couple of weeks ago, I was praying and God gave me these verses:

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all of his ways." James 1:5-8

He let me know that I could bless my beautiful child (the one whom I am most concerned about in this regard), that I could ask for a spirit of adoption (and not an orphan spirit!) to reside in this child, and He would give it. I could not doubt it. He had promised, and I am holding onto this promise. David and I have been sneaking into this child's room at night to say blessings and entreat the Father in faith for what He has promised!

Then today, when I was wavering a bit in my faith, God gave me these words:

"Turn your eyes to behold Me. Look away from sordid surroundings, from lack of beauty, from the imperfections in yourselves and those around you. Then you who have the Faith-Vision will see all you could and do desire in Me." God Calling, October 17

He is good and He is totally trustworthy! May those of you who struggle with the difficulties and pain that come with adopting a child with a traumatic past be encouraged. I truly believe that these words are not just for our family, but for yours, as well. He promises to give generously to all who would ask of Him. I am asking for a heart of fire for our precious child. May this child know the God of Love, and intimately and passionately have a heart set on Him!! May your children be blessed with the blessings of sonship/daughtership, as well. There are no orphans (nor any orphan spirit!) in the kingdom of heaven!!!