Received this in my inbox this morning from our weekly email from our student ministry at church. Thought it was well worth the read and wanted to share it:)
ENTERING THE STORY—Parent Devotional
by Tim Walker
I like labels. They make things easy to define. If I can label those around me, it keeps things nice and orderly—something my structure-craving brain loves.
I have a friend who is the home improvement king. If I ever need help on a project, he would be first on my list to call. The guy just single-handedly renovated his entire kitchen and it looks amazing.
I have a friend who is a Bible scholar. If I ever have a question about a Bible verse or chapter, he's my go-to guy. He's incredibly smart and knows how to look at a passage from different angles.
I have a friend who is a great dad. He has kids older than mine so I know I can call on him and ask those "How did you handle?" questions. And when he does tell me, it's always in a very grace-filled, encouraging way.
I also have friends who are good at finances, lawn care, electronics—I think you get the idea.
But the problem with a label is that while it makes it easier to categorize everything in my brain, it gives me a very narrow view of someone. I begin to see people only for what they can do for me, and become blind to what I can do for them. All of these guys are friends not because of that one trait, but because they're just great guys.
They're also human. My friend who is the home improvement kind has a lot of stress on his job. My friend who is the Bible scholar has big dreams that need encouraging. My friend who is a great dad is grieving the loss of a family member.
Every person in your community, at your job, in your church has a story. Yet so many times we're content to just read the summaries, aren't we? We're content to just be satisfied with what we see on the surface and make our evaluations based solely on that information.
If we're honest, it can get ugly sometimes. We size up prayer requests based on how rich, how perfect, how beautiful someone's life is compared to ours. We determine who is and who isn't worth our sympathy and empathy based on our own evaluation of someone's worthiness. We determine how someone is worthy of help based on his or her own ability to get themselves out of the situation. We say we love others, but if we're really honest, sometimes we really only love what we want to love.
But not Jesus. He was passionate about people—even some of the most obnoxious, annoying people. People like Peter the hot-headed, or James and John the arrogant, or even Judas the backstabber. And, when you get down to it, people like me.
But the difference between how Jesus sees others and my default perception is that He sees the full person and his or her complete story, not some edited version. He also knows that will change when He enters into the story.
So many times I'm content to read the Cliff's Notes version of those around us, size them up, then move on. But Jesus stopped and jumped into people's stories.
And there are times when He lets me see those stories as well.
I catch a glimpse at the story behind the student who keeps interrupting me in Sunday school when I find out he is under a lot of pressure at school and home to be perfect.
I see the story behind the lady with the screaming kid at the grocery store when I realize she's trying to teach her daughter that she can't have everything she wants.
I discover the story behind the rude clerk at the gas station when I watch and see that he just got chewed out by the customer in front of me because they were out of a particular brand of cigarettes.
Everyone has a story, a story that is much bigger than the one I sometimes see. I just need to take the time to read it. And when I do, it makes it much harder to stick a label on someone. They move beyond a single word to become a living, breathing person. Someone who not only deserves my compassion, but my time.
Take time to read the stories of those around you today. And if you really want to be like Jesus, don't just "read them," enter those stories.
| Laugh if you will but with 2 hours to go before we leave Guiyang I finally braved it up enough to cross the street:) We went to Wal-mart and KFC for lunch and made it back to the hotel without getting lost!! I am so proud and Nate is so happy! He is feasting on a box of french fries right now:) Ok, I must get packing! I will be glad to say goodbye to Guiyang and hello to GZ! My only regrets is I wish we had the money to travel to the actually city Nate is from. Maybe one day we will be able to come back for a home tour... Lots of love, please pray for safe travels if your still up:) |
| Nate was listening to Mandi Mapes on the way and on the way back. It will be fun to see if he recognizes her voice at church:) |
| Our last full day in Guiyang... I'd be lying if I said I was sad. One week down, one more to go! I am so ready to be HOME and have all of my family together! We visited the monkey park today... it was short and sweet. There was a beautiful lake with mountains in the back ground and a nice place to walk around. Nate loved getting to get out and run around. He is so funny:) He got to see pigeons and chase them around. He had a ball! Then we went back to the car and drove up the mountain to see the monkeys that roamed free in the park... all I could think about was that lady that got her face pulled off by a monkey in the states so we kept our distance;) We finished the tour at the Buddhist temple. I love learning about Chinese history and culture but as a Christian I just find the temples heartbreaking and I so desperately want to just share Jesus with them:( Nate fell asleep on the way back to the hotel listening to Mandi Mapes:) He woke up as we were getting out and had a fit. He really liked our driver and didn't want to leave him. He played and cut up with him the whole week. We consider ourselves blessed to have been able to spend the week with him and our guide, Vickie. They took really good care of us and were so enjoyable to be around! Our flight leaves tomorrow at 4:20. Please pray for a safe flight! We will land in GZ at 6:05. Saturday- doctor visit Sunday- scheduled sight seeing Monday- Shamian Island Tuesday- submit paperwork and take oath Wednesday- Get visa and take the train to Hong Kong Thursday- HOME!!! |
| I managed to sleep till 4 this morning and I was so excited. That is 2 hours longer than each night before. Hoping I can go for 6 tomorrow! Another picture of Nate on our walk tonight.... just minutes before the little person arrived:) |
| Afternoon walk again... only one more before I go to GZ on Friday! Our walk started out really nice. We too a little detour through a little park and decided to take a rest on a park bench. We were minding our on business when an older lady and little person approach us. At first I thought they were just going to be friendly and make a fuss over Nate then leave. I was wrong. I don't know what they said of course but they sounded really ugly and in our faces. I covered Nate's ears, grabbed him up, and took off. He seemed to be a little shaken up. I wish I knew what they said... grrr. So we walked on and had supper at Dico's. It wasn't that good but at least it wasn't Chinese food... really I can't take much more. At Dico's we sat beside a lady and her son who was about 7 years old. They started talking to Nate and I was trying to decide if I should get up and move after what we just went through. Nate had his head down and acting a little shy. The boy started showing him his stickers so I felt it was safe to stay. He had Spider-man and military gun stickers. He gave the gun stickers to Nate before they left. Nate tried to eat them:) Now that we are at the hotel he is sticking them all over the bed! Speaking of this sweet boy, he is wanting me off of here. He just climbed on my lap and gave me lots of kisses...how blessed am I!! Tomorrow the monkey park...this should be interesting! Missing my babies at home:( Hugs and Kisses!! |
| Worn out! We went to the museum with our guide today and learned all about the Miao minority group. Our guide seems to think that Nate is from this group because of his looks and the area he was found... but really who knows...they were really an interesting group of people. By the end Nate was terrible. He had been up since 4am and was in much need of a nap! We went back to the hotel and had lunch in our room. I am really burned out on Chinese food and chicken! We had sweet and spicy tuna out of a pouch from StarKist (it's really good if you haven't tried it), instant grits, and some fresh delicious bread that took from the breakfast buffet. Nate loved it:) Bad news, they would not let me take pictures at the museum:( so I have nothing for today...but what is a post without pictures:) Here is one from yesterday...I hope I haven't used it yet. It's hard to blog when you can't see what your doing... |
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you! Psalm 67:1-3 |
| Nate enjoys our afternoon walks:) Today we stopped at Dico's and had an ice cream sundae. He loves ice cream! |
| The only time this boy is quiet and awake:) Having a snack at the adoption ceremony. Learned today: He does not like apples. He told our driver bye-bye. That makes 3 English words (mama, no, bye-bye) I may not know what he is saying but I can pretty much guarantee it's going to be about cars! Did I mention...he loves his mama;) |
| We got up early for breakfast so that we could get back to the room and Skype the family. This was Nathaniel's first time meeting Baba and his siblings and he greeted them with smiles and giggles:) At 9am we met our guide, Vickie, in the lobby and went about a 30 minute drive to the adoption center. This is where you will come to meet your child and then you will come back the next day for the "ceremony". To paint a picture for those coming after me, the government rented the top floor of a not so very nice hotel. You will take the elevator to the 14th floor then take the stairs up two small flights of stairs. The people there are very nice. There are 2 men that work there and take care of all the paperwork and then the director who I seen 2 seconds was a women. The notary was also a women if that helps with planning for gifts:) So, back to the ceremony... they put a Chinese flag on one side of the couch and an American flag on the other. They presented us with his adoption certificate and an adorable minority of China doll (it is so cute). Then the orphanage director presented me with a certificate of appreciation for the donation and they gave Nate a silver necklace. Then they said their goodbyes in order to take the 3 hour drive back to the orphanage. While we were there another American family came in. It was the family of the little girl that was waiting for her family the day before. As we talked I discovered the little girl was "Linda" from LWB!! Unfortunately they were staying at Trade Point and I was at the Sheraton so I doubt I will run into them again:( Tomorrow is sightseeing day! My options were 1. to go to the museum or 2. pay $200 to go to the countryside and visit some beautiful caves. Do I even need to say what options I chose? My heart said the country side but my wallet said the museum:) I hope it's fun! She said some people skip them all to go to the orphanage but that was extra money and a three hour drive so I passed on that too. Nate is from the SWI of Liuzhite District and they do not allow visitors. You can only drive by and look at the building (which I would love to do) but maybe one day we will have the opportunity to come back and show Nate where he was from. Ok, that is all for now:) I think me and Nate is going for a walk! Which reminds me... we went to Wal-Mart to buy a stroller.... $35 for a used and dirty stroller. I said no. He is just going to have to walk or mom is going to have to carry him:) |
| Don't let that adorable face fool you! He was laughing and smiling because he kept throwing cups of water in the floor! Stinker:) |
| He is PRECIOUS!! I had to wait on them for about 15 minutes and then he came walking in holding our family picture. The caregiver nudged him to walk over and you could tell he was a little nervous and unsure. He came over anyway and let me pick him up. We got into his little puppy backpack and gave him his cell phone. That was a huge hit!! He loved it and I won him over real quick:) He was laughing and smiling within minutes. He even gave me a kiss on the cheek! We signed lots of paperwork while he played and ate snacks. This boy LOVES to eat! We finished up and then went back to the hotel. He has been in to EVERYTHING!! (Note to Chad: Baby proof the house!!!) We took a walk around the neighborhood in hopes of burning up some energy:) He loves being outside and he loves cars! When we are in the room he loves to look out the window at all the cars. He also loves to talk! What I've learned this far: He loves his mama:) He likes to get his way and if he doesn't he doesn't mind letting you know he is mad. He loves to sing! How precious!! He wears size 18 months- some 2T. He wears size 5w in shoes Size 3 diapers fit him well:) He doesn't like his mom on the computer;) He has 2 really bad blisters on his foot:( He loves beef jerky (and just swiped mine!), yogurt raisins, and candy! He blows the sweetest kisses!!!! He has a smile that will melt your heart and he uses it to his full advantage! I am blessed, truly blessed! |
woke up at 2am this morning and couldn't go back to sleep... I hope Nate is up for a nap this afternoon:) I can't believe he will be in my arms in just 6 more hours!! Please be praying for him...and me! I pray this will be a smooth transition for him and we bond quickly.
Breakfast was so good this morning. It is my favorite meal of the day here. Seriously.... I can't believe how good the food is. After breakfast I decided to go for a walk in the opposite direction of yesterday. I love watching the older people exercise in the morning. I passed two old ladies dancing and it was so cute!! The men here are a little scary.... they often give me an unfriendly stare that is a little intimidating! To cross the street you have to go down some stairs that reminds me of a subway entrance and when you get below there is pathways with multiple turns and people selling things on the sides. My guide took me across the street yesterday but today... I cocouldn't figure it out. I went in and went out in a completely different direction and somehow still managed to be on the same side of the street I started on. I had a brief moment of panic thinking "where am I" but then I looked up and there was my hotel! Ha:) I don't think I will venture out on my any more today. I took two pieces of bread from breakfast and I'm going to make a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. Safer, much safer:)
I am seeing a reality tv show here... country bumpkin goes to China. I don't find myself to be very funny but somehow I think people would find this situation quiet comical:)
Speaking of reality tv... I heard on the news last night that Honey Boo Boo managed to get more ratings then the Republican Convention. Honey Boo Boo, you made the news in China! Who would of thunk! :)
Signing off for now... next post will have pics of my sweet boy!
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To the families traveling to Guiyang in the coming weeks: I ventured out into the city today. I am surprised at the amount of people that speak English! Makes my stay a little easier. Everyone is really nice here. I got a lot of stares and a couple of hellos. I went to Wal-Mart which is a 5-8 minute walk from the hotel. It has a KFC if you are not fond of Chinese food or you need a break from it. I had lunch at Grandma's Kitchen. It was ok and not too expensive. There is a coffee shop a few blocks away that is owned by an American! I haven't went there yet buy my guide was telling me about it. There is also a Dico which is a fastfood chicken place nearby as well:) I've attached a picture of the hotel! Someone leave me a message and tell me if it shows up! I've tried to attach more than one but it would not let me. Thanks! |
| I arrived safely at 11pm and took a quick 30 minute ride to my hotel. I love, love, love my guide! She is super sweet and I think we are going to get along just great this week. She is taking me to lunch tomorrow and showing me around (to get groceries, laundry). Then Monday I will get Nate!!!! I am so stinkin' excited! My flight went really smooth over all. I was given some misinformation about filling out a yellow card which caused me to wait in line twice at customs but they were all really nice (except for the man that kept saying "yellow card" every time I tried to talk:) The good news is: if I need any help "they will kingly help me!" That was scrolling across the tv screen:) Then when I went to check my bags for my last flight It said wait behind the yellow line. It was clearly bright orange and big... not yellow. I did not sleep on the plane at all. I just couldn't. It is too cramped and cold... not a good sleeping environment... so I have been up for over 24 hours... am I sleepy....no! I will post tomorrow... maybe some pictures of the town if I can get them to upload! |
