Perceptions

So we are still in the "waiting" phase of the adoption.  Sometimes I feel like this is much easier than the "paperwork" phase.  I guess no matter how easy or hard, both are a fact of adoption and they are learning experiences.
 
The other day at church a friend (gonna call her "A", so I don't confuse you), said to me, that she thought I was taking this waiting phase so well; if she had been the one waiting she would go crazy.  In fact "A" said that even waiting for our adoption was driving her crazy.  I just laughed; because it reminded me of another conversation I had with my sister a few days before.  Holly had mentioned that "A" (yep, same person--hence the reason it was so funny) had stopped by and had been talking about a big change in her life. Holly mentioned to "A" that she was taking it so well; Holly felt she would have handled this change much worse.  "A" just laughed. 

So what am I getting at?  Perception.  I find it a wonderful thing that people often overlook who we think we are.  And even when they don't, we have an awesome God who does.  He looks at all our personality flaws, attitudes, fears and He sees...Christ!  Yep, He sees Christ covering all those things we think we are hiding.

I watched a video today that a friend recommended about perception.  It was made by Dove (soap).  A police sketch artists brought in a lady and drew her based on only her description of herself and then he brought in someone who knew the lady and drew the  lady based on the other person's description. The results were absolutely amazing --the drawings looked nothing alike. The lady realized that the harsh view of herself was just a hindrance. So often we don't want to be who we really are --whether it be personality or looks or whatever. Aren't you glad God is gracious with us.  He uses with us despite our perceptions of our self.

I know that when I first started wondering whether I could really adopt a little girl with Down Syndrome my perceptions were really off.  I was looking at myself through my eyes. (Weird, right?...I know, this begs the question "whose eyes am I supposed to be looking through?"  Well, I really feel we should look through God's....Still sound off? Here's what I am talking about.)

I saw a mom with 5 kids whose house is generally a complete disaster, who always feels over commited and races to get to said commitments on time (ps. I live in the middle of nowhere and have no idea what "over commitment" is), who doesn't make a meal unless it can be planned and on the table in less that 45 minutes - God saw a mom. (Bet you didn't know that an orphan isn't looking for a super hero - they are just looking for a parent. Yep, it's true.)

I saw a person with little experience with down syndrome - God saw a person that if they relied on Him (Matthew 19:26) could learn.

I saw a person who hated paperwork, talking on the phone, and just basically talking to strangers (yep, I am that girl) - God saw someone who needed to learn that sometimes the hard things are the most rewarding.

I saw someone who had very little patience - God saw someone who really needed to work on that area and found the best possible way to teach her how ...adoption.

I saw a person who wasn't really sure she was tough enough to handle all the judgements and ..."you already have 5 kids, why would you want to adopt"; "down syndrome?...why would you adopt a child like that?"; "why are you adopting from another country?" - and to this, God said to me....

2 Corinthians 12:9
And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in My infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon Me.

 

See it's not about us and who we think we are!  It's about daily letting go of who we think we are and letting Him make us into who He wants us to be.  

 

PS. I will leave you with some pics of us just being who we are...the crazy Johnsons.