I ran across this infographic on Facebook recently. It said, “The kids who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving ways.” As a parent of an adopted child, this struck a chord with me. When I look at my daughter, I can’t help but say to myself how fortunate I am to be her father. How did God work all this out for me to be called Dad? But, she doesn’t always see it that way. In the book The Primal Wound by Nancy Verrier, she writes, “A child given up for adoption perceives the ‘giving up’ a rejection. This rejection is so searing to some that it is difficult for them to love or trust again.” What do we do as a parent? Do what God does when we reject Him: “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36, ESV).

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.

Suggested Reading: Luke 6:27-36