Wikipedia article defines Kairos and Chronos as follows:
The ancient Greeks had two words for time, chronos and kairos. While the former refers to chronological or sequential time, the latter signifies a time in between, a moment of undetermined period of time in which something special happens. What the special something is depends on who is using the word. While chronos is quantitative, kairos has a qualitative nature.
In the New Testament kairos means "the appointed time in the purpose of God", the time when God acts (e.g. Mark 1.15, the kairos is fulfilled). It differs from the more usual word for time which is chronos (kronos).
Yesterday I meet Joy at a match event held by the agency I am going through to process this adoption.
When I walked in the door, the first two people I saw were Joy and her recruiter right inside the doorway. I sorta froze not knowing what to say. Her recruiter told me to go ahead and sign in and both she and Joy said hello. Didn't seem like she recognized me though her recruiter said that she saw a picture of me in March. I wasn't bothered, I just knew that just as the event marked chronos time meeting kronos time, I knew that an opportunity would present it itself later in the day.
It did!
During the event, Joy was Ms. 'In Charge' being hostess and event coordinator at the same time. Though we first came into contact with each other when she ended up next to me during our first get acquainted game, and I mentioned to her that she wasn't supposed to have her cell phone out. She said her mom had just sent her a text. During the game I learned she was allergic to peanuts and loves the color black.
Three things made my joy complete in meeting her :-)
Later when we were in our rotation of small group games, she was helping her recruiter vs. participating and ended up walking around taking pictures. When she walked up next to me I said to her-" I heard you've been asking about me" and she looked puzzled. But when I said 'in your meeting' her response was priceless and I wished I could capture it on video. Not only did she cover her mouth from screaming, she jumped back and said- "its you!!!" She was so excited and said "they didn't tell me you were coming! I have never seen your picture, they won't tell me anything about you...." I told her I knew she wanted her cards and letters but she should be able to get them soon so not to worry.
[A little later she came over and asked me if I had other children. When I said "no" She commented that she doesn't like to be home alone. I didn't understand until later when she told me that her current foster mom is in school and that leaves her home alone a lot. I reminded her that I work in the school system so when she's off, so am I. She was very happy to hear that!]
Second, during lunch she came by and asked me if I had an iPhone cause my phone was laying down on the table. I told her no its an Evo and when I picked it up to show her- she was surprised again to see her picture on my phone wallpaper!
Last, when I was leaving and took off my name badge she took it and put it on her top!!! I almost cried (in addition to telling her that she couldn't wear that out in front of the other kids). It was clear that she knew that THIS time someone was there for her and that she was mine and I am hers!
I knew that I already LOVE her, but at that moment when our time, chronos and God's time, kairos met I realized how IN love with her I am!!!!! It was like seeing her live and in action was the complete manifestation of my saying 'Yes' to God about her in December. Not only did my MAPP classmate come over and say "that is a perfect match- you are definitely her mother, she's just like you!" So true, so true.
What happens now- I told her to not be frustrated or impatient and just wait for it all to come together because now it's just a matter of time :-)
Hopefully this week, I will get approval from her social worker & team, then we can begin visits, followed by placement in my home when school lets out in June :-) Adoption can be finalized 6 months later!
No comments:
Post a Comment