Author: fabsharford

Words from the wilderness: Giving Up

Posted on by fabsharford

I wrote these words on a dark day.  I wasn’t thinking of you when I wrote it.  I was just writing.  I didn’t need to share. I wasn’t trying to be saved and I wasn’t looking for comfort. I was just trying to find words to wrap around reality. 

I know there are those of you who church ‘won’t work’ tomorrow. Cause they’ll talk about a Gospel and a God who offers to save you from the dark and you will wonder why that doesn’t work in real life.  Why dark still comes so swiftly and silently with all its suffocating strength if He is who He says He is.  

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Courage

Posted on by fabsharford

Courage.

That is the thing I ache for. the thing that I lack that keeps me up at night.

I am not afraid of physical dangers (except serial killers and great white sharks – BUT IT IS RIGHT TO FEAR SUCH THINGS).  I am not afraid of bugs. I am not afraid of sadness. I am not afraid of relationships.

I am afraid of being belittled.   I fear the feeling of littleness that comes from having dignity stripped away.  Your voice being taken from you.  Not being heard or believed.  I am afraid of that happening to people I love and I am afraid of that happening to me.

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Culture and Adoption project

Posted on by fabsharford

I’m thrilled to share with you guys a little something I’ve been working on!  Read about the Culture and Adoption project below, and share with your pals 🙂 

Together for Adoption is thrilled to be launching the Culture and Adoption Project (CAP), offering free resources, training, as well as 4 free coaching/counseling sessions for families who want help navigating cultural obstacles in Foster Care & Adoption!

Culture is an integral part of our identity formation, impacting the way we relate to ourselves, others and the world around us.  Fostered or adopted children are required to cross cultures – even if it’s just moving across the street!  They face tremendous opportunities and they also face tremendous challenges like identity confusion, acculturative stress, or cultural bereavement. 

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Wrapping up Lent & the meaning of today

Posted on by fabsharford

I’m writing this sitting at a bar in a diner. Next to me there is an older lady, drinking her coffee alone.  She’s looking around, smiling gently at others, not desperate for conversation, but not avoiding it.  She has nothing in her hands except her mug.

I, on the other hand, have a coffee, my phone, my kindle and my laptop all at my fingertips.  All available. All ready to ease me out of any discomfort that might come from being here alone on Easter Sunday.  What is it about us that is so uncomfortable at the thought of sitting, alone without distraction in a public setting.  Fear of boredom?  I think not.  I think it’s fear of being uncomfortable, fear of embarrassment; shame.

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