A few weeks ago, Micah and I were in the check-out line at Target. As I was getting ready to swipe my debit card, I heard the cashier say something in a somewhat-hushed voice.
Pardon me?
"What is he mixed with?" she asked a little louder.
Pardon me?
"What is he mixed with?" she asked a little louder.
It took me about 3 seconds before I realized what she was asking.
Oh, he was born in Ethiopia!!
Oh, he was born in Ethiopia!!
"Ohhhhh, so he was adopted," she said, in what was probably her normal, louder tone.
I told Vince about it later that day -- I told him if I had been on my A-game I would have told the girl that he was mixed with a Pit Bull. Ha!
But, I'm glad that I hadn't been on my A-game that day. The cashier was not being rude...she was simply curious...and, rightfully so! I would never want to give her, or anyone else for that matter, a bad impression about adoptive families.
Vince and I walked into international adoption with eyes-wide-open. We knew we'd get lot's of questions...and lot's of stares. And you know what? We're OK with that...then, and now.
As I was waiting for Micah to come home, I spent alot of time in the Psalms. A theme that I encountered over and over was, Lord, I will praise you among the assembly and at the gates for Your grace, providence and wonderful deeds in my life.
That so resonated with my heart!! I knew that Micah's adoption was God's wonderful deed, that deserved my praise and testimony! So, I don't mind when people ask about our family...even when they are rude. It's always an opportunity to praise my God -- to tell of His wonderful deeds!! As well, we will teach our children to use the good & bad intrusions to glorify God!!
I told Vince about it later that day -- I told him if I had been on my A-game I would have told the girl that he was mixed with a Pit Bull. Ha!
But, I'm glad that I hadn't been on my A-game that day. The cashier was not being rude...she was simply curious...and, rightfully so! I would never want to give her, or anyone else for that matter, a bad impression about adoptive families.
Vince and I walked into international adoption with eyes-wide-open. We knew we'd get lot's of questions...and lot's of stares. And you know what? We're OK with that...then, and now.
As I was waiting for Micah to come home, I spent alot of time in the Psalms. A theme that I encountered over and over was, Lord, I will praise you among the assembly and at the gates for Your grace, providence and wonderful deeds in my life.
That so resonated with my heart!! I knew that Micah's adoption was God's wonderful deed, that deserved my praise and testimony! So, I don't mind when people ask about our family...even when they are rude. It's always an opportunity to praise my God -- to tell of His wonderful deeds!! As well, we will teach our children to use the good & bad intrusions to glorify God!!
Ps 7:17 I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness,
and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.
1Ch 16:12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered...
and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High.
1Ch 16:12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered...
1Ch 16:24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
Ps 63:2-8 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
4 comments:
AMEN! Glad you allowed God to rule your heart and not be oversensitive . . . we've been home a little over a month, and I'm praying I will not be offended by any comments, but be filled with God's grace so I can use every opportunity to allow His glory to be seen through me!
Great perspective!
I had the opposite happen to me and I was totally caught off guard. I had Jonas and one of my daughters by birth. We stepped into an elevator with a black family. It appeared they consisted of a grandpa, his daughter and her teenaged son. We all smiled and said our polite hellos. Then the mom remarked at how much Jonas and Rory favored each other (meaning they resembeled each other.)She got her father in on the action and he agreed. Then she looked right at me and said, "He looks just like you!"
hahahah I was completely dumbfounded. :-)My daughter Rory was laughing and speechless herself.
You're so right about people just being curious. They really don't know how awful they sound and don't really want to offend you. I would have been in the same boat as you because thankfully, I'm not quick-witted when it comes to responding. I also get caught off guard because I forget that he looks different from the rest of us since he's one of us now.
~Susan
Awesome perspective! We don't have our daughters from Ethiopia and China yet, but I think this would be my reaction as well.
Post a Comment