Tears

My biological children did their fair share of crying. However,
 we encouraged them to save it for the big stuff. We have a few sayings like "Whiners get nothing" and we used them a lot. They learned it early, and whether or not they had to be chastised for it more than once is possible but not probable.

Not so much for Cam. The precious boy who sings songs about Jesus, has an uncanny sense of direction, is behaving in school, and has some crazy basketball skills for his age ...just doesn't get that "Crying doesn't change anything." And the boy has some endurance!

He's never cried over ANYTHING that was of any substance. And yet, he's cried more in the 9 months we've had him than my other 4 children combined in their lifetime...and I have 3 girls!!

When he first came to us and he did this crying, I was so heartbroken over it. I let my imagination run to all kinds of things he must've endured at bedtime, or at his foster homes. But as he continued to choose to cry over the MOST menial things (when we changed the tv channel, because we insisted he cut up his pizza, not being able to play on the wii) we realized he was completely trying to manipulate us...and crying is the only way he knows how. Putting together information that Jordan has told us about their past, even as far back as 5 years ago...he's been crying for his needs and wants for many years. That's his WHOLE LIFE. It's so hard to not be emotionally moved by his crocodile tears, but they now only make me think, "Here we go again."

If you've never had to hear the cry of a child that you can't stop...well, it's horrible. And especially frustrating with a 6 year old. There is NO reasoning with an angry or stubborn child. No wonder there are so many angry adults who make devastating decisions when they are mad.

REDEEMING MOMENTS:
After his fits...it is the sweetest time of reconciliation. He can tell me EXACTLY why he was in his room, the crazy reason it all started, and how he could've gotten out of the situation he has put himself in. We hug and pray, I tell him I love him, and I always tell him..."It's like you start digging a hole, and then you get deeper and deeper and I can't get you out until you're ready to get out!...and you never had to start digging! Let's don't do that again."

I pray for his precious life, thank God for the extreme changes he has made in the 9 months he has been here, and for the redeeming work God has planned for his life.

 

"Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." Proverbs 4:13