Wednesday, June 18, 2014

No other gods...

So, it's finally here. The big day. Over a year ago, we first saw these precious children on a waiting child list. Our first inquiry was made on May 22, 2013. Last July, we started our home study. After experiencing administrative delays in obtaining state clearances, we finally had our home study approved in October. We submitted to this situation and our home study never made it. We found out after the deadline. The caseworker had already chosen families for the matching committee.

I was so upset.

I contacted the website that handled our home study submission, and I notified the owner of the mistake. She said nothing could be done. I asked if a match was always chosen when a committee convened and was told that it was rare for one not to be found. So, I did the only thing I knew to do - I prayed. I asked the Lord to prevent a match if we were supposed to parent these children.

Now, nine months later, we are waiting for the committee to meet and decide. I really never thought I'd see this day. Everything has fallen into place so perfectly these last several weeks that we look at the process and see God's hand throughout.

And that's the hard part.

It's easy to look at how God orchestrated everything and let that convince us that this will have the happy ending that we want. But, isn't that really just putting our faith in how circumstances look?

Thou shalt have NO other gods before Me.

How easy it is to want to look at circumstances and put our faith in them, or to look at someone else's faith or sense of peace and put our trust in those. But, God calls us to put our trust in Him and in Him alone.

I read a novel last week in which the protagonist was watching a friend struggle with a tragedy. She asked her friend why she wasn't angry with God, and the answer was really for me. The friend replied that there are two kinds of faith: the kind that trusts in what God does and the kind that trusts who God is. The first kind often leads to disappointment and bitterness, because God doesn't always answer the way we ask Him to. The second kind leads to peace in the storm, strength in the battle, and joy in the ashes.

It's the second kind of faith that we are holding on to today. Thank you all for your prayers and words of support.

Unfortunately, once we get a call tonight, we won't be able to share any news with anyone for seven business days. I know there are many who have been upholding us and praying for us, and you should get to hear how God answers your prayers. Know that we will tell you as soon as we can. Please help us by not asking. I promise to post an update when I can. Until then, know that God is good. All the time.

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