"Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together."
Psalm 34:3

Have you ever stopped to think how much a child may be learning from a simple task or experience? I remember watching our first two boys as they explored the world around them, being so excited alongside them when something “clicked.” Watching the pieces come together as their brains developed was amazing. Most things came easily to them, and if there was a challenge they conquered it as quickly as they could (even if it took a little while, they were very determined!). Right on to the next thing; they still are always learning and absorbing more than I realize.

And now, we have a little boy who has not developed normally and whose brain doesn’t function like most other kids’ brains do. A few years of neglect, plus being sheltered from good things and exposed to bad things - makes for a very delayed, struggling, physically smaller brain.

It’s strange to me, to be pulling out baby board books and toys that a one-year-old would enjoy - for our almost-four-year-old. It’s not right that this little guy is struggling because of others’ poor decisions. But it is what it is, and God is redeeming the brokenness in his life. Praise Him for that!

As I watch our littlest boy interact with life around him, I’m amazed and a bit dumbfounded. Here he is, a big toddler, handling leaves like he’s never seen them. Splashing a puddle with jaw wide open while he watches how the water moves and jumps. Holding and immediately flinging playdough with disgust. Some learning is coming quickly to him, and some is not. It’s taken a couple months but he admires leaves and puddles and has decided playdough is fun. He will respond to his name; he will giggle and run to find me when he’s happy or sad or scared. He has crossed some mental bridges from the initial exposure to an object or concept, to understanding it and its movement/effects. He is learning.

Some days are painful to watch, or frustrating to manage. God has taught me much about patience as I’ve waited for shoes to be taken off or books to be returned to a shelf. Things that typically take a minute or two often take 10-20 minutes. But day by day, God is helping him understand life and be able to do tasks. His brain is growing, literally, and connections are being made.

I am especially struck by how much learning can happen from one single, small thing. All those days I spent years ago with our first two, with blocks on the floor and applesauce in a highchair; with a bin full of dry noodles and pompoms or a blanket in the yard and grass between everyone’s toes and bugs crawling up our arms… The days of watching birds and chipmunks, making muffins together, singing silly songs, pretending to be different animals… I had no idea just how productive and formative all those things were and are. Now I’m seeing those little things turn into catalysts for our boy to learn more. I’m seeing that slowly, deeply exploring God’s world and watching how He has made everything to work and function truly does set a good foundation for a child, in every way.

There is much more for me to learn as I walk through all the developmental stages again, in a not-so-neat order. I’ll have to learn more about trauma, brain chemistry, adoption, parenting, and many other things I’m not aware of yet. I’ve marveled this week at learning itself, and how capable of learning the human brain is. It can re-learn, overcome challenges, heal, grow, and thrive. God is our Maker and Sustainer! All glory to Him, for all learning and development at every stage!