An child caught in the chaos of foster care is a result of someone's tragedy. Any life is a terrible thing to waste, but to put children at risk or in harm's way is profoundly sad. Children are the innocent victims. At times, they can become pawns. They often struggle emotionally and educationally for a lifetime because they were unprotected in their innocence.
The hopes for adoption for a dear niece and nephew are one step closer to reality after Godly wisdom was whispered into the ear and the heart of the judge holding court yesterday.
With the combined prayers of so many... perhaps it was more of a mighty wind. The kind of wind that split the Red Sea and the Jordan River when God may a way through the waters.
The next 28 days, if feels like so much hangs in the balance. How easy is is to fret and worry, but He is mighty and sovereign and carried them this far. As ,my nephew reminded me... "Just have faith... and he will show you amazing grace." The song "Our God Reigns" has been Earworm's favorite since yesterday morning when word came of the judges decision.
One thing learned through failed attempts at adoption... sometimes, we have to wait and grow a little more to be ready for the task ahead.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. -Jeremiah 29:11-13
How we pray and how we seek him matters. Is it a desire to have it my way or is it with "Thy will be done."
At this advent season, I have a huge soft spot for Joseph. He had waited... for whatever reason... for a wife. Then, he is promised this beautiful young woman. His excitement and feeling grateful must have been overwhelming, before he heard about the pregnancy.
Talk about a punch to the gut. Still, this man was not chosen by accident. Mary and Joseph... together... would raise this God-child. Joseph didn't have the heart to have her stoned... as was his right by the law... he considered divorcing her quietly sparing her life, but not the disgrace for both of them. He would be wife-less again and she would be scorned.
Joseph chose to call Jesus his son with all the rights and privileges of a first born. He taught him the carpentry trade. He loved him and Mary with such a tenderness and awe. God knew that Joseph would be the right adoptive father for his son. The time was right to send the long promised Messiah. Wow! What a surprise it must have been. Okay... what a shock!
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep." -John 10:14-15
God knew His flock. When the timing was right, he knew that Joseph and Mary were the ones to raise the child that would grow to save all who would call on His name.
So many wonders and joys are packed into the story of Jesus's birth. We forget about the wait... and that earth's gain was heaven's grief. When "The Word" took human form, the world would know light and life like never before.
"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1: 1-5
Heaven came down... and joy to the world rang out. Did heaven grieve? Our choices, rejection and sin meant God chose human form to be with us to help us understand his love and for our redemption. The God-child born to a humble home belonged on the throne. Adoption placed him where he needed to be. God made a way.
For each home that goes from couple to family through adoption... this is a most special season. One to celebrate that a family begins in the heart, not the womb. It has very little to do with genetics. Choosing to love changes everything.
Today...I am grateful for a God who can turn tragedy into the promise of hope and a future.
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