When we come to know Jesus as our Savior, we say we will lay down our lives and follow Him. I find, so often, beloved, that we lay down the things that are easiest for us to. The Lord will then, gently lead us through experiences... beckoning us sweetly to our knees... to give up one more piece of our hearts. I will not sugar coat such situations by saying these moments are easy. Usually far from it. It is a circumcision of your heart, and it will be bathed in tears. What is true is everything passes through His throne. He is there, knows your pain intimately and has great purpose in it.
Not unlike an expecting woman having nightmares of complications, health or provision, thoughts have crossed your mind. Will this child come home, will something happen to the child while I am waiting, will INS close this country in the middle of the adoption, will a foreign government reject my loving home? Maybe people have even shared horror stories with you. I know those stories. I am one. Hear it-I have purpose in sharing it. After years of waiting, paperwork and longing, our first adoption was never fulfilled. A month's long stay in Eastern Europe led us home with empty arms. The pain was real and harsh. We could have seen it as the manipulation of a foreign government or sin in our lives or even an abandonment by the King we serve. By His grace, though, we clung to Him. We knew we had heard His calling to adopt. We knew we were to go on this path. We knew no government has authority that Christ has not given it. We kept our eyes on Him, seeking His next direction. He used moments in that valley to prepare our hearts and home for the children we knew He had already chosen for us. And within six months, we knew our next step.
It would be evil-intentioned to say to a young couple, do not try to get pregnant because she may miscarry. It is crazy. I am not tell you this with ill-intent. So why am I not addressing the fears floating through your mind? Why am I giving the horror story to the waiting heart? Because the acknowledgment of them allows you to combat them with truth and to respond with righteousness. Take captive your thoughts and trust Him wherever He takes you. The pain happens. But if it happens... He is good and He has purpose in the calling to grow your family through adoption.
Cling to this dear heart: Habakkuk 3: 17-18 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines, Thought the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food, though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
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