Happy New Year to all! The year of the snake has begun. Although in our culture snakes often symbolize sneaky evilness, for the Chinese they are respected and treasured. This is a year of renewal and fresh beginnings as the snakes slither out of their old skins into the bright colours of newness underneath the old.
For me, I am holding on to the hope of new beginnings with promises of spring around the corner. In our family we are shedding our old skins and heading forward into new adventures. With the shedding there is some tender vulnerability and healthy fear, but we are letting love and forgiveness shine forth from deep within and enjoying the fresh new shades of colour in regeneration and renewal.
The teen years for all kids bring new challenges and mixed feelings. There are many uncomfortable places and situations that arise during these years. For teens who have known many layers of trauma through all that has lead up to adoption, these years are much more tumultuous for both the teens and their families. In these last days we have had some days in rough waters. There will be many more of these dark days ahead as we all face some of the wounds of trauma and pain uncovered in each new developmental stage.
For now, we are holding on to the hope of growth and depth of love emerging through challenge. We are much further ahead on the journey of love. Often there are many layers of skin that must be removed over the years. Sometimes we retreat to dark places of protection to allow the shedding to take place. As another new year has come, we are ready to come out into the light again for now. We hold fast to hope, remembering the truth of God's love and forgiveness and the reality of His Spirit in us bringing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control as we walk forward together into this year of the snake.
We send you wishes of blessing too at the beginning of this new year.
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