Christianity Today recently featured an article by Amy Julia Becker entitled My Perfect Child. I first read a version of this article years ago in the magazine First Things, and it both challenged and encouraged me. (You can find that original, longer version of her article here.)

In many ways I can relate to the thoughts and emotions that Amy recounts.  While it is true that the realities of Down syndrome and adoption/foster care do not equate per se, I am convinced that adoptive and foster parents can relate to and learn a lot from what Amy shares about her expectations, her hopes and dreams and ultimately her view of God in the midst of brokenness.

There is much I could say here, but I would only be getting in the way.  Amy has said it far better than I … so I hope that you will take a few minutes to read her article and then reflect.  Allow her perspective to challenge you, and also encourage you. 

Many adoptive and foster parents are all too painfully aware that our children are not “perfect.”  And I am no less painfully aware that I am not “perfect” either.  But in the midst of all this imperfection, hope and healing can be found as we live and love the way our perfect God intends.