Think about this...the resources you have right now at this very moment,
though you believe and argue that they are too small,
would be more than most orphaned children could ever dream of...
~ sentiment shared by my friend, Guy-Michel
Can we talk about courage? I've been out of the loop a bit lately because I've been in prayer, study, and council about something that God has placed on my heart again. Adoption.
My life has always been a bit nontraditional so of course the scriptures that move my heart toward adopting aren't the traditional ones that people mention. Besides the James 1:27other verses pierce me like...
Proverbs 3:27 "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them."
Luke 6:36 "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
James 2:14-17 "What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well” - but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless."
Matthew 25:34-35 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home."
Matthew 25:34-35 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home."
Psalm 68:6 "God places the lonely in families;"
It really is a spiritual battle!! The facts are that God's provided me amazing blessings, abilities, resources, and support structures but then evil steps over the hills waving its fear banners. Yet it's in those moments I imagine the Spirit steps in front of me with his shield, looks me in the eyes and says, "Courage."
Ephesians 6:11-13 "Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For [you] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm."
Now, I don't tend toward wearing 'rose-colored glasses.' I'm a realist on my own and there are very few concerns people can share that I've not thought about intensely already. So what I really need is encouragement, spiritual encouragement. Do I think I'll be a great mom? Yeah! But it's not about that...what really matters is that I have the Creator God to lead my household now and this same Merciful God to lead my home if I adopt children. It's God...that's the most important factor that I must not forget!! Pray I don't forget it. Help me not forget it.
My battle cry is changing to "Courage & bravery!" and Psalm 121 is becoming a song of my heart.
Psalm 121 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
I look up to the mountains - does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
We know there are children in need of a home, needing someone to love them oodles, and care for them. And I am confident that God puts us in a place to be able to help if we are open and willing to let Him use us.
What about you?
I hope you'll consider those verses above and my friend's sentiment too. :)
***
Specific prayers: I'm praying to adopt domestically in what's called a straight match adoption. Ages 5-9. I'd like a sibling group - probably sisters. These children are in foster care and have come from hard places. All my paperwork is in, except for my pet's vaccination records, so classes will begin for me in either June/July, then home study, then matching begins.