what love does

Howdie! It has been too long since my last post. I overloaded myself with courses this semester and have really been paying for it. Also, Brandon Smith asked me to marry him a few weeks ago. WHAT. Crazy, I know. So, yes, there is a lot going on. But God is still God and He is still in the business of amazing me with just who He is. That being said, I got the itch to blog about something, so here goes.

I serve in the nursery at my church, The Summit, every Sunday morning, watching after babies that are typically between 8 and 15-ish months old. Within the past year, I have had the joy of having a particular little girl in the nursery. Since her first day, she was older than the typical age range of children for our class. Her parents adopted her from Asia, and it wasn't long before I learned that she had a disorder that caused her to develop more slowly than the other kids. She was also extremely rambunctious, pushing down our make-shift walls, being rough with the other children and never sitting still. However, over the past few months, she has changed so much. Now she is still full of energy, but she enjoys just sitting in my lap, and plays quietly on her own. She almost seems like a different kid.

When I noticed this drastic change in the little girl last week, I marveled at how much adoption changes lives. Being brought into a stable home with parents who more than adequately love and care for her has completely reshaped her world. Then I realized that the reason this really intrigued me was because it was me. My spirit is naturally wild and restless. But adoption has changed me. I am secure. I am cared for. My every need is met. Someone hears me when I cry. I am loved. By the blood of Jesus, God has adopted me into His family. He has called me daughter. I am His, and I can rest.