Pains..

There are several of my close friends that are at various points in the adoption process alongside eman and me. I am so thankful for each of these women. Let me tell you, this process is HARD - the waiting, the mounds of paperwork, the waiting, the unknowns, the waiting, the fundraising, more paperwork and more waiting. This has been a very different trial than I ever expected and I think I could say the same for these other mamas too. Adoption is not for the faint of heart - it is God's will and, thank goodness, He does the strengthening an binding of battle wounds! Phew!

These past few weeks have been hard for each one of us as it relates to adoption. We have had, to name a few, disappointments, miscommunication, lack of communication, and exhaustion. All of us ready to throw in the towel. 

That, however, is NOT an option. We have been called to a much higher purpose. We need to put our flesh to death and let The Lord guide our hearts and minds. This is not easy though, especially when the pity party and beating feels deserved.

Here is what God's word says in Philippians 1:6 - And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. 

Our God WILL complete this good work in us. He will NOT abandon us midway, just as He will not abandon these kids. He has called each of us to bring home different children, to make them as one of our own. How can we argue or quit that when it gets rough? No one has ever told us life would be easy. Certainly there are not any scripture that would say that either. 

Bottom line: It's a work of God to form families in a new way after hurt and trauma. It's total redemption. THIS is so cool! These children were conceived outside of our bodies, yet God has given us a love and desire for them. Sometimes without knowing their faces, always without knowing what they sound like, and who they are! He gives us a small minuscule taste of how deep His love is for us! 

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1 NIV)

Father, may all of the glory be given to you not only in our adoption process, but also in these other families! Thank you that you already know our needs! Thank you that you already know the outcome of these journeys! Thank you that you love us so much that you adopted us into your family - we are children of the One True King!