Tough Love
There's a little nearly-two-year-old boy named Thomas at Casa Adalia right now. He is in constant motion: running, climbing, and jumping. He has split open the skin above both eyebrows, nearly broken a finger in a door, and is continually being cautioned, caught, picked up, and comforted (and/or bandaged). Watching Thomas plunge around, it feels as though he's on a path to self-destruct. But I love him anyway. Recently I've started watching him on Monday mornings so his Mom can work. She has a part-time job and is working hard to plan a future for the two of them. So Thomas and I go to a nearby park where he can run and climb and play until he falls asleep in his stroller. Watching him tear around, Desi and I talked about how maybe when he grows up he'll be into extreme sports, or something else involving quick, brave decisions.
Over at Casa Gabriel, I've recently seen another type of self-destruction. One of the boys who has been there since before I arrived over two years ago, Dario, made poor choices which hurt the rest of the boys in the house. He went through denying it, downplaying it, and showing no remorse, holding a defensive attitude as though the rest of the staff and I were the ones wronging him. Sadly, this was not the first time Dario has had problems making good choices and working through the consequences. After a day of discussion, evaluation, and prayer, Dario was asked to leave. If he chooses, he can reapply to Casa Gabriel after a period of time. He packed his bags and went to stay with relatives. The staff and I, including Youth World leader Aaron (who was pulled in as we made this heavy decision), all told Dario, "This doesn't close any doors with us. You may not be living here right now, but we are your friends and you can come to us. We're here for you." It was tough love which was incredibly difficult on everyone ... though in the end, it was the kind of love needed.
I've seen Dario show such kindness and thoughtfulness, yet sometimes, it's one step forward, two steps back. Just as I care for little Thomas even when he doesn't listen, I care for Dario and other boys who have left the home, praying that they will mature and face consequences in a healthy way. As with Jonah, likely we all have times of running from something we don't like and don't want to face, before coming to repentance.
Or like the story of the prodigal son, which shows how grace isn't always received in an instant, but realized over time.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." - Luke 15: 20
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