God Bless you, dear lady. I know you would never say it, but what you have done is a fine example of what Orthodoxy calls “dying to the self”. What an example you are to those very lucky children of yours and the people around you!
Thank you, kind sir, for your comments. When I first had the children placed with me for adoption (as a single never married Christian brand new mother), people kept using the word “noble” to describe what I was doing to keep them together and be a focused, full-time mother to them (giving up career, freedom, etc.) I found that offensive and weird, actually — since never once did I embark down this road of adopting siblings with any thought that I am rescuing them or “doing them a favor”. God called me to this life — as I believe He calls EVERY mother who has children — to offer up our lives as a sacrifice as a mother naturally does to those whom God has entrusted to her care. It is my “reasonable act of worship” as Romans 12:1-2 states, so how can it be some noble, grandeous thing?
I feel the same way about this with Gov. Palin. She has FIVE CHILDREN — a severely handicapped infant, and a teenage pregnant daughter, and other children who need to cope with all that these issues mean to a family. Again — frankly I assumed she would resign her Governorship when the baby came along with Downs as he did. I am disappointed she does not recognize her highest calling.
Trust me — days like today — when I can hardly rub two nickels together for anything beyond food, shelter and clothing for me and for my children, it doesn’t feel so noble. Yet I know that God is faithful, and HE knows my heart and motives more than anyone. My children’s lives have been redeemed — just as Gov. Palin’s need to be — to have their Momma step up — and step DOWN — to lead and guide them through the only childhood they will ever have.
Blessings from CA....