Breaking Chains 💚

"I don't take the name lightly."

A name isn't just a name, it's a marker of love, acceptance, and moving forward. That's why I dropped the old one completely when I was legally adopted.

Adoption is a blessing, but there's a lot we don't talk about: the "normal" things you missed growing up, the cultural differences no one else understands, the years of unlearning survival behaviors that became maladaptive in your new world. Mental health struggles. Counseling. Meds. Being extremely intentional with every choice.

God's gifts are amazing, but that doesn't mean they're always pretty or easy.

At 21, trying to understand my newfound family and Christianity, someone shared Joel 2:25-27 with me: Satan makes us feel shame, powerless, unacceptable, but the Lord takes this away. His people let anyone sit at the table.

I remember every person who gave me a meal, let me borrow a vehicle, sleep on their couch, provided mentorship. Despite seeing the absolute worst of me, you still thought I was worthy.

That's Christ. You were it.

Now go adopt people. Let them feel accepted without judging their worthiness. Mentor them. Let them ask hard questions. Set them up for success. Then tell them to do the same.

Yeah, some will take you for granted, Jesus dealt with that too. But for the one who keeps going? You changed the entire trajectory of their life and broke some tough chains.

Read the full piece: spectrumapertura.substack.com

Adoption • Faith • Belonging • Neurodivergence • Church • Restoration