Thursday, February 05, 2015

Deeper Thoughts Than I Had Intended

From the time I was about five until I turned eight, every night I prayed for God to bring me a sister. I had one brother but I felt something was missing, and I thought that missing piece could be filled by having a younger sister. She would look up to me, our parents could dress us alike, and we would share all our deepest secrets.

The spring I turned eight, my parents adopted a pair of siblings -- an almost six-year-old girl and a not quite three-year-old boy. For awhile everything seemed to be working out as planned -- we had sleepovers in a tent in the backyard, we shared a room, and we bought matching t-shirts.

Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that the problems my siblings brought with them were larger than anyone had anticipated and that they couldn't be fixed with the social worker's suggestion of "Give them lots of love and firm discipline." (This was the early 80s, remember, and adoption has changed a lot since then. I am a firm believer in adoption, so please don't misunderstand me here.) And eventually, my sister left home at the age of fifteen, the year I was in Grade 12, and I haven't really seen her since.

And deep in my heart I still longed for a sister.
 
Well, God works in mysterious ways, and shortly after I returned from one of my overseas stints, I was placed in a small group at my church. And I met Janice, Tim, and Tessa, and my life has never been the same since. And every time I feel envious of my friends who "are spending time with their siblings on Sunday after church," I think of Sunday afternoons with Tim and Janice and their kids and I know that I get to experience the same thing. And I am thankful.
 
  All we need is the chocolate!

This past weekend we celebrated Willem's birthday a few weeks early with pizza, chocolate fondue, lots of laughter, and successfully convincing Janice it was really time to join Instagram. (YAY!!!!!!!!!) And even though it means that I now need to hold up my end of the deal and get a cell phone and learn how to text, it is so worth it :)
Left: Rachel taking a big bite;
Right: Willem blowing out his tea light birthday candle!

And I am so thankful for the amazing ways in which God answers our prayers, even when it's not in the way we had anticipated.
 
 A badly lit picture of FIVE people playing on Instagram!

And, honestly, I'm also thankful for chocolate fondue and welcoming my sister to Instagram!

9 comments:

  1. Oh wow, thank you for sharing. I'm so sorry about your first sister...but thankful for Janice, too! And LEARN TO TEXT?!?! HowEVER will you manage?!! ;)

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  2. I'm sorry about your sister. I know that has to be hard. But, it looks like God knew just what you needed. =)

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  3. Amen to God answering our prayers in unexpected ways, ways we often wouldn't have thought of!

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  4. God brings people in and out of our lives for different reasons. I am sure your family left any impact on your sister, and it's so wonderful that you have family that can bring you joy now as well.

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    1. Thank you for your perspective. I hadn't thought about the fact that my sister was just another person who came in and out of my life, much like many other people have done.

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  5. I love this. You never know how God is working.

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  6. I know you have alluded in the past to your not being close to your siblings, but this really broke my heart. I hate that the adoption did not work out as well as hoped and that your brother and sister obviously had deeper heart issues than even your loving family could resolve. I hope the Lord finds them wherever they are and helps to heal the hurt. I am also very thankful that you have found a sister and best friend to fill this longing in your heart...I have prayed for a similar relationship in my life and still hope that will be filled one day. It seems like every special friend relationship I have developed tends to be separated by distance and life circumstances. Sigh.

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  7. Beautiful post - even if things didn't work out the way you planned I'm glad you've found Janice!

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    1. Thank you! I'm also really glad I have Janice in my life.

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