More evidence that ...

we live in a broken world which was cursed by its creator.

Helen Briggs

This story this week out of the United States: Virginia. It seems James and Helen Briggs of Alexandria, Virginia have decided they want to "unadopt" their 16 year old son, whom I shall call Jesus, although he was left unnamed in the news reports (thank God!). Facts of the case as I understand it:

1. Jesus was sexually and physically abused by his drug addicted biological parents (who were themselves doubtless abused (with, no doubt, infinite regression))

2. Jesus was in and out of 5 foster homes and various "psychiatric institutions" from the age of 16 months until the age of 10 years.

3. Jesus met Helen Briggs, excellent foster mother, in 2000 at the age of 10. The two came to love each other, and Helen and James Briggs adopted Jesus.

4. In 2003, at the age of 13, Jesus sexually molested a 6 year old boy and a 2 year old girl.

5. On an aside, these actions put Jesus at the top of the list of "types of pariahs in america in 2003".

6. Also in 2003, Helen Briggs learned for the first time of the darker elements in Jesus' history.

7. In 2006, Helen took steps to "dissolve" the adoption, saying she never would have adopted Jesus had she known his true history.

8. Under Virginia law, she can't do that unless Jesus consents, which he does not do.

quotes from the story:

*"[Jesus], now nearing 16, wants Briggs to be his mother forever, according to [his] file."

*"You don't want to throw somebody away, but sometimes you have to." said Helen Briggs

*"He feels unloved," a counselor noted in his file. "That he doesn't belong in the world."

Questions.

1. Is god capable of redeeming such a situation?

2. Is god interested in redeeming such a situation?

3. If you answer yes, what about you allows you to answer thusly?

4. Did this story make you weep?