FULL OF COLOR
Written by Deborah.
10/27/02
God has graciously sent so many wonderful, unique, talented and fabulous Christians to Christian Adoption. What a privilege it is to meet, get to know, pray with/for, and become friends with God's best--His people.
There have been many expressions, one-liners and/or statements that have become part of the CA vocabulary. I.E. "Try to get my mind around it…" (David & Carolyn); "Everything is a prayer request." (Scott & Kelly); "Meltdown…" (Deborah); "Finally, I had my AH-HA moment…" (Shawn & Suzie); and many more.
Here is one, or a variation of it that's sure to become an integral part of the CA jargon. From Tim & Lisa's profile, in the section FROM TIM ABOUT LISA: "The best way I can describe Lisa is that she is full of color. She brought a lot of color into my life." I loved it the moment I read it and thought it was and is a wonderful and beautiful way to affectionately describe someone you love.
This is an appropriate description about how I feel about the CA family. We are, as a family, full of color and bring a lot of color into each other's lives. As a family unit, we can build on that uniqueness and enjoy the values and hues of color, or we can smudge it with personal opinions and viewpoints.
About 15 years ago, a good friend and sister in Christ shared an expression with me that continues to ring true. As she stated it, "It's rather crass and rough, but true. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has a couple and sometimes they stink."
Within our CA family, are many varied and colorful opinions about many different subjects. And like the aforementioned expression, everyone has a couple about a lot of topics, and verbalizing those opinions--sometimes stinks.
I see clear and evident scripture about ways to conduct our lives, behavior limitations and definitions, ways to show the same care for one another and dozens of specific scriptures about specific topics of Christian conduct. What I don't see in God's Word is clear and succinct scriptures regarding the choice to home school, the choice of diet we must adhere to, the choices/decisions we face regarding infertility processes, the choices we have as to where we live, eat or work. God's Word is full of perimeters and guidelines, full of admonition and wisdom. But many of the detailed specifics of life are just not clearly defined. In other words, in my 2-bit opinion, I think God gives us some options about certain areas of life and allows us to make our own decisions. I.E. Home schooling, diet, and to what extent we may or may not consider invasive or chemical means to overcome infertility. Infertility is such a broad and painful area of life and so encompassing, it behooves those of us that have adopted or have had bio children, to give our brothers and sisters in Christ, the SPACE they need to wade through it's maze. Prayer is the most effective and effectual counsel we can offer to anyone. A listening ear coupled with prayer, demonstrates compassion and God's comforting love.
Those that voice their very specific opinions about certain infertility procedures can cause offense. These opinions may cause stumbling blocks for others. We're not walking in love towards one another, when we cause others to falter along the way. Sometimes our "old man nature" has the compulsion to share opinions, without realizing that we can bring about more damage than blessing.
Part of what I've learned in being the administrator for CA, is to listen and listen and listen some more to other people's needs. What is said is often not what is meant. Many of you have heard me say over the phone, "Do you understand what I mean? Am I communicating?" To avoid causing stumbling blocks to others and to avoid the pain of strained friendships, I've learned to keep many many of my 2-pit; I mean 2-bit, opinions to myself.
It is my hope and prayer that all of us will remember this wonderfully illustrative expression brought to us by a terrific brother in Christ; and that we will rejoice in the Christian Adoption Family that is so full of color.
FROM TIM ABOUT LISA
"The best way I can describe Lisa, is that she is full of color.
She brought a lot of color into my life."
And so we do for each other in our Christian Adoption family.
For more information please read Jen and Laura. We encourage you to prayerfully consider registering with our service, and/or writing to us.
adoption@christianadoption.com
A non-profit Christian and Internet
service ministry. We're helping others in the adoption
process.
1.800.277.7006 620.251.4405
Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
