Last night, the twins read to me. No big feat, you might be thinking. After all they are in Kindergarten, half way through, I might add and the teacher did say they would be reading by the end of the year. So surely they are learning to read and merely displayed a result of their education. Right? Sure. But maybe I should premise this with what we were told when we adopted them. You see, there was speculation of prenatal exposure to God only knows what. When they came to us at 3, they were timid in their developmental skills. They had yet to potty train, knew no numbers or letters, and were grasping at straws to name colors. Our social worker carefully reminded us that they may not learn properly, or on time developmentally, ever. My response: I just don't think they've been worked with. Though the family who had had them prior to our home were renowned former foster parents, our gut instinct was that they simply hadn't spent the time with the twins as was necessary. We knew in our heart of hearts that they were capable, we just had to give them the keys to unlock the treasures of their intellect. We knew that they could be powerful if given the tools to reach beyond what was expected and claim the gifts they had been given.
Within three weeks of our constant attention, they could count to 10. They knew a multitude of letters and were tackling colors quite nicely. Upon her return visit the social worker was astounded, and echoed back to me what we had initially said: maybe they just hadn't been worked with. How many other kids in our society do we do this to? Label them as incapable or hyper active, or even unteachable when really they just don't have the tools to be successful? We aren't born with knowledge, we are born with the capability to learn, if some one teaches us how. But we have to be taught first, and how can that happen if no one has faith in us or is willing to put in the time to help us reach those lengths?
It reminds me of our struggle to become the children God wants us to be. We are each cast out by our society, marked as untouchable, unteachable for the mere reason that we are human and therefore flawed. But because of our maker, who is diligent and takes great care, we are offered the tools to unlock our unlimited potential and rise up as the great and mighty scholars and warriors that He calls us to be. 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." Our father did not cast us here without our own tools to greatness, He has given us His Spirit, which teaches us, molds us and brings gives us the opportunity to claim the greatest gift of all: love. Because He loves us, He gives us the opportunity to succeed.
My children, the ones who I was told would likely not learn, are no longer timid. The children who once were labeled as unable to learn are now right on track with their peers. And tonight, they read me a book. They have moved beyond the expectation and are far surpassing it. They are claiming the power and love that has been promised them. They are my little warriors.
I love that word, warrior. It conjures up such vivid imagery in my head. I picture the emblem of strength, clothed in bravery and shielded by faith. We are all warriors of our own battle and truly come to fruition when we claim the power awarded us by our Father. Women historically have not been thought of as warriors. We are the keepers of the hearth and home, and the Cheerios of course. But we were created not as an afterthought, not as a subservient to man, but as a helpmet. The original Hebrew word used to describe woman is that of an Ezer, which actually takes it's root from a Hebrew military term. We are meant for such greatness, each one of us. We are capable of so much, from battling the pain and heartbreak of our broken bodies, to surpassing the labels and expectations of us put on by others. Strip yourself of your timidness, sisters. Claim your love and power, tailored by self-discipline, and become the great and mighty warrior you are meant to be. And while you're at it, read with a child, a niece or nephew, friend's or your own-it will open your eyes to a whole new world.
P.S. If you're curious about Ezers and helpmets, check out the bible study Lost Women of the Bible, it's really good!
