“Everyone hates me because I’m adopted” was one of the various anxiety-induced phrases that came from my 8-year-old daughter, Butterfly, this morning. This statement is nearing mantra status, as it has been a recurring theme for nearly a year.

In addition to this, we ran out of time to finish her homework. And according to Butterfly, her teacher “will be so mad.” When I asked Butterfly to tell me more about that statement, the root of the issue came out: she said, “It means I’m bad.”

Be stabbed, this mama's heart!

I went down on my knees to meet her eye to eye, since by this point, she had melted to the floor.

And I said, “Hold on. When God created the light and dark, what did he call it?”“Day and night...?”

“Well... yes. But then, after that... he said it was ‘good.’ And then he made the plants, animals and he said...” I paused for her to complete the thought for me. She stared down at me, sniffling. Her emotions were blocking all logic at this point. “...they are good. And then he created–”

“Adam and Eve!” she said as her eyes lit up.

“Yes! And he said they are ‘good.’ But not only that, the Bible says we are his “Masterpiece.’ YOU are his MASTERPIECE.” The tears on her cheeks were rerouted by the smile now on her face.

We then had to pause to help 3.5-year-old Engineer with his gummy-vitamin-up-the-nose predicament.

And we came back.

“You are his good, good Masterpiece! And nothing can undo that. Not incomplete homework, adoption, your friend not sharing her markers with you... none of those things or people have that power. Not even YOU have the power to undo how God made you - which is as a Masterpiece made in his own image.”

As we got into the car, the little people advocated for us to listen to the soundtrack from Sing, a request that was rejected by the Car Queen (myself). The song “Masterpiece” from Bugs and Slugs came to my mind, as did their song “I’m Adopted.”

Butterfly, Engineer, and Thunder were all singing and dancing in their seats on the way to drop Butterfly off at school.

So, now that I won at Christian parenting this morning, I want a nap. And I’m pretty sure I’ve used up all my compassion for the day – possibly for the week – so please lower your expectations.

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