Biblical Boundary Building

We have been working through some tough stuff at our house. Bottom line, we need better boundaries with people we thought we could trust. By the grace of God around the time that this all came to a head I also heard that Esther Hosea had finished her book on biblical boundaries.

I am friends with this wonderful woman online and when I heard that her book was coming out I was 110% on board for helping her get the word out! Little did I know what that would look like in my life.

December

I saw that Esther’s book was making its debut in January. I expressed how excited I was about that and she asked if I would like to receive a copy to review for her. I was so glad to be a part of her launch team and eagerly awaited her book in the mail.

January

I was beginning the new year and I was writing my review and a blog post for her new book when the bomb dropped.

I found out that my kids had been exploited by someone very close to us, and while I’m glad it wasn’t as severe as it could have been we are still working through what relationship looks like with them again.

And out came Esther’s book. Ready to help save our lives.

Why stories matter

I grew up in an “all-inclusive” home. My mom was physically abused by her mother, and this resulted in a broken family dynamic. My mom and dads response to this was to take in everyone that needed help. Dogs, horses, my aunt and cousin, even a homeless guy and his kid that my dad gave work to.

I had a fluid understanding of family. We would call my parents’ close friends aunt and uncle and older people in our communities grandparents.

Life Together

Now, in many ways this is very good. Scripture encourages an all inclusive perspective when it comes to Christian community. We are to love recklessly and trust innocently.

We are also to be wise as serpents.

Our personal family dynamic is still forming. We are learning what is best for our kids while inviting hurting children in through foster care.

March

We got our first foster placement. She had been abused in a myriad of different ways and within weeks we were seeing sexually reactive behavior toward our children. Before what had happened in our family I would have sent her away instantly, believing I needed to protect my children from this broken child. Now, that we had worked through these hard and terrible things with our children and counselors and Esters wonderful book, we were ready to handle this situation.

July

The summer was chaotic and out of control with this needy child and family trips, but in July she suddenly left us in an abrupt and horrible way. We cannot know if she is safe. We will probably not see her again. And I work through boundaries again. Feeling like a ping pong ball at this point as I open the gates ever wider, and hold us together all the closer.

Today

I am paging through Esters amazing book today as I think about another new season.

Even as I write this we are deciding whether or not to adopt a large sibling group. That would be a huge expansion to our family!

She has helped me to see how Gods word applies to these situations that are scary and how he has shown us the way to understanding them through his example.

Thank you Esther for your wonderful book!

Here is the link to buy it. I don’t get any cut. It all goes straight to her! Click here!