But, this morning, as Jayla prayed for the kids who don't have any parents and for those people who are adopting them, and for the families in CA who lost their homes to fires, something significantly struck me. For the first time as a parent, I am seeing fruit on a consistent basis....fruit of our labor and it is so sweet to the soul. The earliest years of a child's life are all about cuddling them, wiping them up, feeding them, and meeting the myriad of physical needs they have. On bad days I feel like I repeat myself over and over and over....to absolutely no avail. It can be deeply frustrating. I can identify with the hamster on the wheel.
But, something has started to change. I now see things, in Jayla especially, starting to 'stick'. It's not just the occasional glimpse anymore, it is a regular occurrence. I see her developing character traits and attitudes we wanted to instill. It's amazingly refreshing, and highly motivating.
I am beginning to realize that witnessing their development as human beings, children of God, to see Him drawing them near to Him is breathtaking. Holding conversations with her and hearing her point of view is interesting. She thinks of other people and ways to help them daily. I'm so encouraged by that. She is not an appendage of me anymore, she is her own person and we are able to guide and train, not just wipe and feed. I sit today in awe of the fact that these children are His, and I have been given the priceless opportunity to care for them, and assist the Most High God.
