Sr. Miriam James Heidland, an experienced adoptee, discusses finding identity in Christ and her healing journey. The conversation explores the impact of vulnerability in her ministry, the beauty and misconceptions of adoption, and experiencing the kindness of the Lord in healing relationships. Sr. Miriam shares her personal struggles and graces in the healing journey, emphasizing the importance of breaking victim mentality and starting the healing process wherever one is.
Acknowledging and feeling the pain associated with adoption wounds is crucial for the healing journey.
Encountering God's kindness and the kindness of others plays a transformative role in the healing process.
Adoption serves as a reflection of a deeper reality, offering a foretaste of the ultimate belonging found in God's love.
Deep dives
The Healing Journey of Adoption and Abandonment
The healing journey of adoption and the experience of abandonment is a deep and complex process. Sister Miriam James shares her own personal journey of healing, starting with the discovery of her adoption and the feelings of rejection and shame that arose from it. She emphasizes the need to acknowledge and feel the pain associated with adoption wounds, allowing oneself to grieve and lament the original rupture that occurred. Sister Miriam highlights the importance of encountering God's kindness in the healing process, both directly from Him and through the kindness of others. She also discusses the transformative power of vulnerability and the healing that comes from sharing and opening up about one's story. The healing journey involves coming out of a victim identity, releasing the belief that something is wrong with oneself, and aligning with the truth of God's love and chosenness. Sister Miriam encourages listeners to embrace the journey, to dive deep into the emotions and experiences, and to lean on God's tender strength and unwavering kindness throughout the healing process.
Uncovering the Mystery of Adoption
Sister Miriam James delves into the mystery of adoption and its connection to God's plan for His children. She reflects on St. Paul's description of believers as God's adopted sons and daughters, emphasizing the divine invitation to belong and experience true communion. Sister Miriam explores the significance of adoption by discussing the historical context of adoptions in ancient cultures and how they differ from God's adoption of His children. She highlights the longing for belonging and the ache to be loved deeply, shared by all humans, regardless of their adoptive or biological status. Sister Miriam reveals that adoption is a reflection of a deeper reality, a foretaste of the ultimate belonging found in heaven, where all are loved and accepted. Through her personal story and insights, she invites listeners to ponder the deeper meaning of adoption and the profound love of God for each of His children.
The Transformative Power of Kindness in the Healing Journey
Sister Miriam James emphasizes the transformative power of kindness in the healing journey of adoption and personal wounds. She speaks about how God's kindness disarms self-hatred and interrupts the cycle of trauma. Sister Miriam shares her own experiences of encountering God's kindness, both directly from Him and through others. She highlights the strength required to be kind in situations where the other person may not want or accept kindness, challenging the misconception that kindness is weak. Sister Miriam addresses the struggles and graces of the healing process, discussing the importance of allowing oneself to feel emotions, grieving, and coming out of a victim identity. She also encourages listeners to recognize the sacred and foundational reality of being chosen by God before anyone else's opinion or rejection came into play. Sister Miriam's insights inspire listeners to embrace God's kindness, remain open to healing, and navigate the healing journey with trust and vulnerability.
The Deep Longing for Belonging and Generational Connection
The podcast episode explores the speaker's experience of not knowing what it's like to grow up with people who look like him or share the same DNA. He reflects on observing others' family dynamics and feeling a deep ache for that kind of generational connection. The speaker acknowledges the mystery and pain of not having that experience, but also sees it as a reminder to seek intimacy with God and trust that He has something good in store. The discussion highlights how adoption resonates with people on a deep level, as everyone experiences ruptures to some degree, craving a sense of belonging and love.
The Universal Human Desire for Home and Love
The podcast delves into the universal ache for home and love that all people experience to varying degrees. The speaker reflects on the desire to belong, knowing where one comes from, and finding a place of rest and familiarity. They acknowledge that while everyone shares this longing, it can also be ruptured in different ways. The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing and validating these longings, whether through physical adoption or a spiritual adoption as children of God. The aim is for listeners to understand that their own stories of longing and sorrow can contribute to a deeper understanding of their identity as beloved children of God.
Sr. Miriam James Heidland shares her experience of being adopted. Jake, Bob & Sister have worked together for years and start the conversation off by discussing her impactful ministry, finding identity in Christ & her healing journey. She then shares about finding out she was adopted & the struggles & graces experienced along the way.
Key Points
Getting to a place where you are secure in your own identity that people’s reaction to you doesn’t affect you.
A discussion exploring why Sr. Miriam’s ministry connects so well with people.
“The man who loves to walk will go further than the man who loves the destination.”
We are all adopted sons & daughters of God.
What it means to truly belong.
Sister shares her experience of finding out that she was adopted.
Experiencing the kindness of the Lord that doesn’t pull away or act harshly.
Sister shares the struggles and graces during her healing process.
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