Last summer dear friends came to visit. Riley had just started living with us permanently. We had passed the first month where all seemed happy and perfect. Slowly, he began to reject me. He would run to Brian, Julia, and Nate and he would bite me. As we sat in the pool together, Riley swam to my dear friend and splashed and played, but Riley would absolutely not go to me.
I remember being a little sad and trying to put on a brave face as I explained what was happening. I remember thinking how strange it sounded that this sweet little boy wanted nothing to do with me. And I also remember how normal it sounded that this sweet little boy would want nothing to do with me.
His grief had begun to spill out.
Today, I sat on the steps of the pool, rinsing off my hands in the water. Riley has been helping me plant our spring garden. He walked around the pool with the brush, singing and smiling.
I am so thankful that things have changed and I have been accepted into his heart. I know I am fortunate. I know I am blessed. My heart felt as if it would burst today when he walked over, set the brush down and gave me a kiss.
Do you wonder…
Does our heavenly Father sit back and smile, when we walk over and kiss him?
Does He sigh with heavy relief as we return to Him?
I could barely handle a few weeks of rejection.
How does He handle repeated rejection when we just run back to His arms, crying for comfort when things go wrong?
Thank goodness He does.
Isn’t it strange how much “head knowledge” we can fill ourselves with about how our kids are going to “normally respond” to adoption, and then when it really happens it still throws us and goes so deep. While our boys haven’t shown any intense rejection yet, we fully expect it later on, as they begin to understand our family and how it was created. I love how you pointed all back to God and how he’s always there, waiting with open arms. Thanks for that great reminder this morning!
How does He handle it? He stands at the window and watches the road. He fattens the calf. He keeps the best robe clean and his ring polished for the day His prodigal child returns.
Praising Him for this happy change as Riley grows to love his new home and his new mama.
I’m still following along and rejoicing with you! Would love to meet you in real life someday soon! So glad we “met.” 🙂
Interesting thought…
Thank goodness indeed!
You’re a good mommy to Riley.
Yes thank goodness!
I love reading this story and am so happy to see your beautiful family so happy!
Thank you, Carrie!