The Faithless Friend of Job...

Kitijah and Endijah

So, we are having a pretty good time hosting our girls from Latvia. Kitijah and Endijah (pronounced Kitia & Endia) are sweet as can be, fun to be around, and very typical tweeners who love to listen to music, try on clothes, and giggle.

 On the other hand, our good friends who are also hosting children from Latvia are having a different experience. They are hosting a brother and sister who are 6 and 7. Alex and Karolina are also sweet kids, and they are also typical 6 and 7 year olds for the most part. What that means for our friends is that Alex is a strong willed active boy who has challenged all of us to a battle of wills at some point or another.

Karolina and Alexanders

 Jeannie and I were discussing this very issue at the table this morning. I was throwing out my opinions and possible options in typical guy manner. Is he really behaving like a typical 6-year-old orphan who has been flown half-way around the world and dropped into a place where he doesn’t know the language? Will things settle out once his clock gets adjusted? Does he need to go back or to another host family? Should he even be in the program? Who would take on such a challenge? Maybe the organization needs to come get him on their dime? Did the orphanage director sugar coat his issues so they could get a break from him?

 “Dave, God put Alexanders here for a reason. God allowed him to be here for this time. God knows how he is and God knows what he needs.” 

 What a “faithless friend of Job” I can be at times, thinking I know so much when I really don’t know anything at all. It is a good thing God has given me Jeannie to remind me.

 “But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; and the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; and let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?                              Job 12:7-10