Giving Grace and Seeing Needs

Grace is an amazing thing.

It gives us freedom and opportunity—space to move, create, and become who we were meant to be. Grace is central to the Christian faith and a relationship with God.

One amazing thing about this relationship is the way God chooses to see us. Scripture tells us that God knows our every need. In Matthew 6:8, it says God knows our needs even before we ask. He sees beyond the surface to the heart—what it is we truly need in order to heal, live, and thrive.

In his life on earth, Jesus brought this spiritual seeing to the very practical flesh in his interactions with people around him. He made God visible to us in the way he saw and met the needs of others—not only the things they said they needed, but their true, deep needs. In some cases, those around Jesus had needs they weren’t even aware of. He saw and met those needs with the love of his Heavenly Father.

As we have received this grace through divine seeing, we have the opportunity in turn to share it. This, of course, applies to all of life as we seek to be the hands and feet of God in the world. But it also can apply specifically to orphan care—especially parents, professionals, or anyone caring for children impacted by adoption and foster care.

Oftentimes, caring for children who have experienced difficult beginnings can be very hard. The weight of those beginnings in a child’s story can have long-lasting implications. As caretakers, helping children heal from trauma in order to thrive is of vital importance. And to do this, we need to see beyond the surface to the heart—the need behind the behavior.

Grace upon grace is absolutely necessary as a healing connection is formed between caretaker and child. Healing only happens when grace is present.

See the need, give the grace, meet the need. And repeat.

Hope and healing are possible when needs are seen and grace is given. As we see this in the life of Christ and feel its effect in our own lives, we have an opportunity to share this with children we care for.

Do you want more resources like this for parenting in the adoption journey? Check out our recommended resources and the Hope for the Journey Conference.