We were given an opportunity this past weekend, and it was a doozy. Isn't it amazing how the good Lord gives you all kinds of chances to feel Joy? It is just a matter of what perspective you look at it. Our opportunity came in the form of a child in black. Black clothes, black hair, black fingernail polish, black eye makeup (which you would only notice if the hair is slightly moved away from his good looking face) He is now part of the Magnuson clan for a bit. He has been in the lives of our boys for as long as we can remember...his big brown eyes used to greet me at the front door several times a week, but in the past year the visits were much less. He has a
"flair" - let's just put it that way. I am all about individuality, but some guidance is what we hope to offer. We are opening our home with the hope of giving him some support, some perspective and some security. Perhaps he will take a new direction. His choice. So our lives have been sprinkled with some diversity to say the least, but our family is happy to have it. That's what livin' is all about. My hope is that this 13 year old boy realizes that life does not have to consist of drama and being the victim. He has a choice now to take what is being offered and find some way to turn things around. It is going to take some sacrifice, but he is smart...he'll figure it out!
'My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer,' the boy told the alchemist one night as they looked up at the moonless sky. 'Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity.'
Paulo Coelho
9 comments:
wow! what a generous thing for your family to do. i know your lives will be richer for doing this. hang in there, becuz the road might get rocky...but the destination will be worth the ride.
I pray that he sees and understands what is means to be a part of a solid loving family...he is blessed to be with all of you!!
Thanks girls...he is clean - no drugs, no alchohol - that is a HUGE plus. The thing is he looks "crazy", and judgement is drawn by people who are offended by his "look". I can't say that I was innocent - I am open minded and I had a hard time with it...but his heart is still there and he is willing to follow our rules in exhange for some security. We took some to be sure it was fine with all the boys, and it was. We are all in it together.
Angela,
I know you can be a positive influence in his life. We had a foster child for four years. It was a struggle at times but well worth it in the end.
How wonderful for you and your family to open your hearts & home to this child. We adopted a son & feel blessed to have him in our lives & know he is leading a better life than what could've been. Take things one day at a time, I am sure you will make a difference in his life that will stay with him forever! Best Wishes to you all!
Angela - I know EXACTLY who you are talking about and after seeing him (barely through the hair - hee hee) the other night, I wondered how he was doing as I hadn't seen him in a while... even said a little prayer for him. Adding all of you to the prayer list and hoping all goes with with him at your house.
Angela, You and your family are wonderful. Let him know what family is --and he will learn that he doesn't have to go to the "goth" extremes for acceptance. I had a baby sister who dressed this way long before it was popular, and the looks she received from strangers was amazing and the people who would follow us in store hoping she wouldn't steal things were amazing. My dad always said it is her creative expression and she can always wash away the makeup and dye the hair ---- it is a far better expression than the repercussions of drugs and alcohol. What people do not realize these kids (most of them) are amazing under all the black garbs. and it was weird I use to hang out with all her friends and they never judged me for who I was and they were all respectful and fun and very talented in may ways. God bless and when my situation leans more toward the more stable side, I will be adopting a child in need. Congrats and you are all in my prayers.
Lori
Angela, You and your family are wonderful. Let him know what family is --and he will learn that he doesn't have to go to the "goth" extremes for acceptance. I had a baby sister who dressed this way long before it was popular, and the looks she received from strangers was amazing and the people who would follow us in store hoping she wouldn't steal things were amazing. My dad always said it is her creative expression and she can always wash away the makeup and dye the hair ---- it is a far better expression than the repercussions of drugs and alcohol. What people do not realize these kids (most of them) are amazing under all the black garbs. and it was weird I use to hang out with all her friends and they never judged me for who I was and they were all respectful and fun and very talented in may ways. God bless and when my situation leans more toward the more stable side, I will be adopting a child in need. Congrats and you are all in my prayers.
Lori
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