Driving down the road... Drew from the backseat, "Mommy when the baby is born, will he have have light skin or dark skin?"
I love my kids - and all kids. They usually get it right. Where along the way did we start thinking that we should be "color blind". I understand the sentiment behind the phrase, but really? I need to ignore part of you to get along with you? I have to pretend I don't notice a difference for us to get along? As if everybody isn't always noticing everything about everybody all the time. It's human nature, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing. God gave us the ability to see each other, and He teaches us to love what we see. I see you AND I love you - all of you.
You may think I'm oversimplifying, but I think we tend to over-complicate.
You see Drew is asking about his little brother, because he can't wait to know him. The color didn't matter, but just like Kevin and me, he is longing to meet him and trying to imagine the person he'll be.
Last summer during our Home Study, the social worker talked to Drew and Kate about our adoption to make sure they were prepared for the changes. She asked Drew if he knew his adopted sister would look different than him. He looked puzzled. He wanted to answer correctly, but really didn't understand her purpose. He finally responded, "Of course, she'll look different. She's a girl, and I'm a boy." That is the most profound difference in his mind. :) Our family has celebrated the cultural and racial differences our little girl will have from us. We dream about her cuteness, and show Drew and Kate pictures of Ethiopia and the beautiful children. With the tiny bits we know about our adopted daughter, we imagine her sweet face. That's why Drew asked about the new baby, trying to imagine his sweet face.
A little more prompting from the social worker, and Drew said, "Oh, yeah. She will have dark skin and I have light skin." Next question.
God didn't make us all the same, and we should be glad. Why do we waste time comparing each other and ignoring parts of each other. God made us. on purpose. We are beautiful. Most of the time we don't even believe that about ourselves (I know I don't). If we all start to see each other that way - the way God does- maybe all of us will start to realize how beautiful we are. -all colors, shapes and personalities
Love is what makes us the same.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful.
-Colossians 3:14-15
