Christine Rhyner Christine RhynerSitting in my new home, watching the sun rise over the marsh. It really is a nice view from my desk here by the front window.
It’s all over—the closing, the hauling of car load after car load of “stuff” to the new house. And I was mistaken. The new owner of our old house is Chinese but his wife is Costa Rican and fluent in English, Spanish and Chinese. How’s that for international flair! They have two babies and an eleven year-old.
The grief I have felt over the last few weeks has been unlike anything I’ve experienced short of my failed attempts at conception. The loss, the failure to maintain our home and the constant struggle to get by have all taken their toll. I feel spent--physically, emotionally, spiritually and every other which way.
As I’ve said good-bye to neighbors they’ve said some pretty strange things.
“I’m sorry you “have” to move.” How did they come to that assumption?
Or, “Well, you know you didn’t work. Your husband let you do whatever you wanted.” What does that mean?
Just as I’ve written in my upcoming book on forgiving words that hurt you and your adopted kids, I must forgive neighbors and others for hurtful comments. Just as I must forgive the father of a friend of my son who came by and commented on how much smaller this place is and how we have no pool now and wondered how much we are paying to live here.
I grieve daily. I want to go home. I am surrounded by boxes and clutter and furniture that has no place to sit and I feel exhausted and overwhelmed. My tears flow and try as I might to keep them private, my children have seen or heard me cry. They are stronger than I.
But I am aware of God’s great mercy and blessings, just as I was when He led us down the adoption path.
In her book, “A Time to Grieve, How to Get a Grip and Move on,” Carol L. Fitzpatrick says, “Where is (Jesus) during this tumultuous array of emotions?
Right there beside you, with His arms outstretched, saying, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
I plan to spend some time with this book that offers help and hope from the Bible for grief—because grief is a terrible emotion. When mixed with isolation it can be deadly. That’s why it’s so important to find others who can help whether one grieves the loss of a house, a lifestyle, fertility, a baby or adoption plan.
Is the Church Changing?
4/25/2017 10:55:00 AM by: Christine
What Are Our Values Anymore?
4/14/2017 7:29:00 AM by: Christine
The Final Frontier (Part Two)
4/3/2017 10:10:00 AM by: Christine
The Final Frontier (Part One)
3/27/2017 9:00:00 AM by: Christine
Soulmate
3/17/2017 5:00:00 AM by: Christine
The Colors of a Writer
3/10/2017 5:00:00 AM by: Christine
Camp Fear
10/9/2016 3:56:00 PM by: Christine
What's Not to Get About the Writing Life?
8/15/2016 1:24:04 AM by: Christine
Learning to Sing the Song of Winter
8/2/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Perspectives & the Second Half of the 10 Commandments of Conflict
7/24/2016 9:57:10 PM by: Christine
Perspectives & 5 of the 10 Commandments of Conflict
7/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Run Writer Run! Make Music with Your Words
6/20/2016 5:30:43 PM by: Christine
Mom, the Fishstetrician
4/18/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
The Radicalization of Hillary and the Democrat Party (PART 2 OF 2)
4/16/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
The Radicalization of Hillary and the Democrat Party (PART 1 OF 2)
4/15/2016 2:51:12 PM by: Christine
Why Ted Cruz NOW?
3/19/2016 12:26:00 AM by: Christine
Why is the GOP Committing Suicide?
3/14/2016 12:30:25 AM by: Christine
Dear Chicago
3/12/2016 9:36:14 PM by: Christine
The CONSTITUTION For President
3/3/2016 3:41:00 PM by: Christine
Does God Give Us More Than We Can Handle?
2/29/2016 10:08:29 PM by: Christine
That Unanswered GOP Debate Question
1/9/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
America's Lifeline
12/31/2015 3:04:50 PM by: Christine
Fractured Nation (2 of 2)
11/14/2015 8:42:06 AM by: Christine
Fractured Nation (1 of 2)
11/11/2015 11:04:35 AM by: Christine
What is Orphan Sunday?
11/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
November's Gratitude and Longing
11/4/2015 8:30:39 PM by: Christine
Losing a Child is Like...
9/12/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Finding God in a Tenement
9/3/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Doing School in the 21st Century
8/22/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Superstition vs. Planned Parenthood
8/19/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Addicted to Giving Birth?
4/21/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Why We Should Have "The Talk" Before Marriage
3/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Adoptive Parents "Hypersensitive" & "Selfish?"
3/12/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
What's So Wrong With Calling It "Gotcha Day!"
2/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
How God Connected the Dots
2/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Exposure of Transracially Adopted Kids to Their Races a Bad Thing?
2/2/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Out With The Old
1/12/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Those Who Scoff at International Adoption
8/16/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Setting Aside Birth Story Facts for Truth
7/31/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Sneak Peak, "How much did you pay for her?"
6/11/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Blessing Through Adoption Pain
5/16/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Eight Ways Publishing Your Book is Like an Adoption Journey
2/23/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Neglected Ministries?
2/17/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
It's a Boy
2/8/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Thoughts of Her
2/1/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
To My Son
1/30/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Rational Thinking?
1/25/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Minority Against Minority
1/12/2014 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Happy New Year!
12/30/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Happy Thanksgiving
11/25/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
You ARE my mother?
11/10/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
The Transracially Adopted Children's Bill of Rights and Some Thoughts
11/3/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Infertility Is...
10/19/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Will He Speak English?
10/11/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Kitty-Sam
10/5/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
What's in a Name?
9/30/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Vhristine
An Adoptive Mom's Message to Those in the Healthcare and Education Professions
9/25/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Being Tested
9/11/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
When We Are Weary
9/1/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Trailblazers
8/24/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Chrisrine
A Fresh Start
8/22/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
God Works Behind the Scenes
8/13/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Why Adoption Requires Forgiveness
7/28/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Dust Bunnies and Poo
7/19/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Reality Check
7/13/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Forgiveness is Work
7/9/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
An Answer to Prayer, Part Three
7/3/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
An Answer to Prayer, Part Two
6/27/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
An Answer to Prayer, Part One
6/22/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Are They Really Brother and Sister?
6/16/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Infertility's Not Fair
6/13/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Has He Ever Eaten a Dog?
6/11/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
Sometimes We Fail
6/9/2013 12:00:01 AM by: Christine
