Building family bonds through mutual acts of care and devotion, where parenthood itself is an ongoing practice rather than a fixed status.
Rabia lived a life of radical service to God, finding her deepest belonging through acts of worship and devotion. In adoptive families, this translates into understanding parenthood not as a status conferred by paperwork but as a practice continuously renewed through service. "Belonging Through Service" suggests that family is built through showing up—through learning your child's needs, advocating fiercely, healing together, and offering presence without scorekeeping. The adoptive parent's devotion is active, like Rabia's prayers and ascetic practices. Simultaneously, children contribute their own forms of service—their trust, their willingness to try again, their love offered despite fear of abandonment. This mutual circulation of care creates genuine belonging that transcends biological connection. It mirrors Rabia's teaching that love is not passive sentiment but disciplined practice. Family bonds strengthen not because you share DNA but because you consistently choose each other, serve each other's growth, and build history together through intention.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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