I have a confession to make.
When we first started foster care, I thought it would be as easy as loving a child – providing safety, warmth, food, shelter, and emotional support.
It wasn’t. And this left me frustrated.
Because trying to fill your coffee mug when it has a big hole in the side IS frustrating.
And I showed my frustration- A LOT. Honestly, I live with regrets.
It took me a long time to figure out what to do about that hole – years.
Let it be.
Time, therapy, routine, consistency- those things will help to patch the hole-
But these kids- they may never be fully whole again.
Early childhood trauma is like that.
These kids sometimes never feel full or satisfied or completely loved.
And, I think, many of us can identify- because various traumas-in adulthood even- do the same thing.
I would argue that full acceptance of Christ’s love is the only thing that can come close to keeping the positive stuff in.
Identifying that we have a hole in our cup is the first step. This step is brave, insightful, and not one that everyone takes.
But patching that hole may take a lifetime.
It’s not easy or simple and the repair can be fragile and reopen easily.
Give yourself and those you love as much grace as you can.
No matter what they say, time is your friend. God uses it in awesome ways.
And at the end of this life, He will bring you to Himself- hole and all -finally, completely whole.
