138 TJ
TJ has had a rough life. TJ had a violent abusive father who beat him regularly and a drug-addicted mother who did nothing about the beatings. TJ's father died in a violent confrontation with police at a bar and his mother died shortly after from a heroin overdose. TJ was placed in the foster care system, but unfortunately, the subsequent foster homes he was placed were not much better.
TJ was angry and distrustful teenager at the age of 14. He had to be removed from his fourth foster home when neighbors called the police when they the foster father threw TJ against a wall for not finishing his vegetables at dinner.
TJ hated adults. He tried running away in the past, but eventually he would get caught and brought back to the foster home. TJ stared blankly at his social worker as she cheerfully told him that she found "a very good family" who wanted to take him in.
Yeah right, TJ thought to himself. He heard that line four times already. It was all the same. Beatings. Name calling. The malicious taunts of "orphan!" and "adopted!" at school. TJ was tired of the physical and mental pain and he was tired of crying himself to sleep every night. He swore under his breath that he would never cry again. Why would these people be so different?
When the new foster family came to pick up TJ, he stared hatefully at them and back at his social worker as he got in their car. It was a family of four: a couple with a 11-year old son. The son tried talking to TJ in the car, but TJ ignored him. TJ looked outside the car window listlessly as his new foster dad explained that they lived in the country.
After two hours of driving, TJ and his new foster family finally arrived at their home. As TJ got out the car, the first thing he noticed there was a lot of trees and greenery around him. This was nothing like the dank gray concrete of the city. Also, the air seemed a lot fresher and...breathable?
For the first few weeks in his new environment, TJ was withdrawn and sullen. However, his new family was very patient and loving towards him. Even when TJ made loud angry outbursts, his foster father never hit him, oddly enough. His foster mother always hugged him when TJ came home from school and asked him about his day. Even at school, when kids tried to pick on TJ, his new foster brother ferociously stuck up for him.
Slowly, TJ's hard exterior started to soften. TJ started thankings his foster parents for all the things they did for him. TJ also started talking to his foster brother and even playing games with him.
It took a while, but TJ started smiling more and his somber attitude brightened considerably. He started acting kindly towards others like his foster mother. He started to be more sociable and willing to help others in need like his foster brother. TJ even started learning to be patient and calm like his father. After a few months, TJ confided in his family that he felt for the first time ever, that he truly belonged to a family. They all cried and hugged him tightly, causing him to cry also. TJ briefly thought about his oath, but for some reason these tears felt different. They felt good for once.
When we accept Christ into our lives, the Holy Spirit seals us and lets us know that we have been adopted as the children of God.
Recommended reading:
- Romans 8:14-16
