Usually, I write here at Everyday Welcome about pretty things. Today, I’m gonna get into the issue of racism and adoption, because there are some real things that need to be said.
I love to encourage women to open your heart and home to know and share God’s love, and I most often do that by sharing ideas for home and recipes to inspire your table. But because the core of my heart is to inspire a life that reflects the love and grace of an incredible, pursuing, all-knowing and all-sovereign God, I need to share today about something deeply serious and life-altering. It is my prayer that by talking about racisim and adoption in the most real way, it will open eyes and challenge thinking and move hearts.
Recently, my heart broke when a precious friend called to share about the most horrible kind of persecution she and her family are experiencing.
My friend is an adoptive mama who loves her children fiercely. Over the years I have watched my friend in awe as she modeled a Christlike heart in her parenting. She has shared her family’s story transparently on social media, because she delights in their journey and wants to inspire others to give of themselves.
- I have been challenged by her courage to love without end in the process of fostering to adopt.
- I have been emboldened by her persistence to give of herself as she served in broken system, using it to give her all to precious children in need.
- I have been broken-hearted with her as she loved tirelessly and looked for ways to serve, both the children she sheltered and their birth parents, many of whom willfully harmed and rejected their birth children.
- I have grieved with her when rescued little ones were returned to environments that caused them harm, even in an effort to “do good.”
- I have rejoiced with her when God opened the door for her to create a forever-home in her heart and her household for little ones who bear their Maker’s image and now, their family’s name, all as she still sought to honor those whose blood runs through her children’s veins.
Imagine my horror when my precious mama-friend told me that political activists had captured her child’s image from social media and twisted it, using her son as propaganda to promote lies and further a misguided political agenda, feeding disrespect for all mankind and attempting to further divide races and cultures. They used her little boy’s name and photos, along with the names and location of his extended family, and attached it to horrible thoughts and twisted opinions, having no regard at all for this little person whose life is now FILLED with love and honor, because of his adoption.
I cried with my friend as I read words slammed cruelly across the internet, meant to undermine an act of mercy, tenderness, and ultimate love. I grieved as I thought of how these senseless acts could discourage families who would rescue children whose very lives are endangered by the people who birthed them.
I grieve for those who would behave so cruelly toward others, because they show they they themselves are trapped in the worst kind of bondage – ironically – the bondage of their own minds to prejudice and hate.
Recently, my imagination was captured by the latest Summer theme at Magnolia Market in Waco, Texas. In such stark contrast to the abuses heaped on families over the issue of race, this platform is being used to speak life and grace to a customer base and social following, over, through, and beyond differences. Despite verbal attacks over the years, Chip and Joanna Gaines (imperfect people who of course make mistakes of their own) have staunchly refused to be bound by word battles and mud-slinging. Instead, they speak challenge and encouragement in printed word and through the products they create, and they live courageously
“FREEDOM” is the winsome, beautiful concept that’s woven through written word and magical displays of art throughout the company in their summer installation. With soaring birds and watercolor fields and hand-made wildflowers, Magnolia has visually brought to life an intangible concept we all long for: freedom.
Here’s a truth: our freedom does not come by our own hand.
After talking with my friend and remembering conversations with some of my kids about political “correctness” and a few other buzzing words and concepts prevalent now especially when it comes to racism and adoption, I couldn’t help thinking that the attack on our friends comes back to the concept of freedom. Because some have suffered attack and abuse and dishonor and bondage, they seek freedom by tearing down another. Somehow they’ve come to believe if they destroy another’s freedom, punch them back with what they’ve felt, grasp at control over them, they’ll gain what their hearts seek, what their predecessors lacked and what they so desperately need. But the truth is, we can never gain freedom from harming another. We can never find release from our personal bondage from binding another in our human, broken way. The truth is, we will NEVER find freedom by ourselves.
YES, we need to respect all human beings. We shouldn’t even need to say “regardless of race, etc…” My heavens – if we know and understand the concept of the preciousness of human creation (in the image of the loving and perfect God), and if we grasp the concept of salvation (at the sacrifice of that same redeeming God) we don’t need clarification. Just like we cannot hate another because of some physical feature or even life choice (no matter how justified we may feel), we cannot try to fix and force “love,” or respect, or kindness, just because of some physical trait. Racism and adoption cannot be subjects we let be reduced to political sound bites; these issues are at the heart of our identity as humans and our calling as beloved children of God… because they reflect who He is.
We must love one another because we are each created in the image of God. We love, because we are Loved.
LOVING GOD
Here’s your challenge/dare for the week. Go read Galatians 5. There is SO MUCH there to challenge and encourage us. In particular, I think it’s interesting to note how our world’s definition of “freedom” currently seems to be “do what you want, at all costs, with no regard for the future or for others.” (Case in point – grown adults, some who are respected public figures, who would use a child to further a political agenda.)
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13
As usual, even in the areas of racism and adoption, the truth God offers is topsy-turvy from the world’s view. Freedom comes from giving up, laying down, letting go… and ultimately gaining what we could never grasp for ourselves. Freedom is a GIFT we’re given by God. I’ll say it again:
We will NEVER find freedom by ourselves. We will not be set free by anyone or anything apart from Christ.
LOVING PEOPLE
I remember when my kids were little and they were utterly impulse-driven. One child, in particular, was particularly transparent. I could literally see the temptation to do something naughty rise in his eyes and make its way to action. He didn’t think (or care, in the moment!) about outcome. If anything, he invited the conflict, so he could get what he wanted. He just had an impulse to fill a temporal desire, and he had to follow it.
But as our kiddos grew older, maturity brought a sense of concern for consequences, care for others, and caution for future outcomes. It’s interesting to me to note that God’s definition of freedom involves self-control, for the sake of MUCH greater good… for us, and for others!
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” -Galatians 5:14-15
CELEBRATING HOME
God has called us to live lives that point others toward freedom. We must intentionally use our resources to invite others to come to Him… because HE is where freedom is found. This means whether we are inviting guests for dinner, creating a welcoming space in your home to build genuine community, discussing issues like racism and adoption, or being personally called to fostering precious little ones and helping families who foster and adopt for His sake, we generously share what we have, for the purpose of sharing the redeeming, transforming love of Jesus.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ” -Galatians 5:16-18
Inspiring (FREEDOM-filled) welcome,
Angela
Have you joined the Everyday Welcome Community Facebook group? if you’re a Facebook person, come say hi! I love being able to share encouragement and insight on food, home, and faith – and I LOVE the conversation that happens when we share with each other. Leave a comment and let me know your favorite ideas for home and table!
Want more inspiration? I think whether we’re called to adopt by law or adopt hearts through hospitality, we can serve by opening our homes. Here are Five Truths for Intentional Home Design.
Here are some great ideas for how you can encourage moms, no matter what season of life you’re in!
