The Kiss of Death? Or Life?

Lord willing, Kenneth will be preaching on worry this coming Sunday.  And in typical fashion, God always envelops us with these lessons when we most need them.  Kenneth said he knew something was coming, and thus, it has.  It rings true that what we teach/preach on is the lesson we need most for ourselves. 

We heard some very discouraging news after Christmas.  There is talk that Ethiopia could totally close adoptions.  Click the following link for the news story.  http://allafrica.com/stories/201312260586.html/

Unfortunately, there are so many more questions than definite answers at this point.  We hope to hear more in the next few weeks, but for right now, all we can do is wait to see what happens. 

The in-country representative for our adoption agency has confirmed that whether Ethiopia closes or not, they definitely plan to reduce adoptions in 2014.  They have been reducing adoptions since 2010 (the same year we brought Aiden and Asa home), and the plan is to reduce even more, if not totally stop all foreign adoption from Ethiopia.

We have also heard that orphanages are closing.  We have heard that it is unlikely that very many children will become paper-ready to be adopted.  This means that although there are many many orphans, they will not have the opportunity to be adopted by anyone outside of Ethiopia.  It is heart wrenching to know the amount of children who need families and may never have one.  It is painful to think about what happens to these children when they are not adopted into loving homes. 

Here is what we do not know:

-A LOT.  To name a few things:

-If we will be able to adopt from Ethiopia.

-When we will know anything definite.

-How long this process will take, if it continues at all.

-How much more God will need to provide if we do have to switch countries.  This would mean a loss of some, if not all, fees we have already paid.  

Here is what we do know:

-This was no surprise to God.  He is still in sovereign control. (Ephesians 1:11)

-Jesus Christ is still holding all things together. (Colossians 1:17)

-God is working all of this together for our good, to conform us into the image of Christ. (Romans 8:28-29).

-God will provide. (Philippians 4:19)

-Things happen on His timetable.  Not ours.  He knows the right time. (Romans 5:6)

-We need a lot of wisdom. 

We are currently pleading with you to pray for the adoption process in Ethiopia.  Pray that adoptions will continue and that the many orphans will know the joy and love of a forever family.  Also pray that God will shower us with His wisdom.  He asks us to ask Him for it, and He promises to give it to us.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).  We are praying in faith, knowing that God will supply us with His wisdom!  Will you join us?

The Lord led me to this passage today.  Paul was writing to the church at Corinth and said, “Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.  But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.  He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.  On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.  You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many” (II Corinthians 1:9-11).

I just know that although this feels like a kiss of death, God will bring life to us!  We set our hope on Him.  And as we all pray together, even more thanksgiving will be offered to God when we see the pieces come together.  You see that?  Through this situation, God is going to get even more glory!!!  AMEN.  Isn’t He good?!!

Lastly, I want to share something with you.  Can I just tell you how thankful I am that we don’t have to worry about this situation?  It is so freeing to not have to worry.  I have tears in my eyes (and for those that know me well, you know what a big deal that is), just thinking about how amazing our heavenly Father truly is.  I am so thankful for Him.  So thankful for His grace.  So thankful that He called me.  So thankful that He is my constant protector and the shield about me.  So thankful that He loves me and reveals Himself to me.  I did nothing to deserve that.  Yet, He continually showers me with His riches in Christ Jesus.

Among the big lessons that God has been teaching me over the last several months, one is His sovereignty and the other is worry.  I love reading Matthew 6 and seeing that GOD KNOWS.  I do not have to worry about this adoption because I have a sovereign heavenly Father who has ordained this trial and I am confident of His promise that He is working it together to conform me into the image of Christ.  He knows the beginning, the middle and the end of our adoption story.  He knows who our daughter is, and He knows where she is.  Ethiopia?  India?  China?  He knows.  Why worry when the Creator of the universe has it under control and wants the best for me?  He will reveal His plan in His time.  We must simply ask for His wisdom and obey accordingly.

Please do not misunderstand this as passivity. 

It certainly is not. 

As we are trusting in Him, we are praying and seeking His wisdom.  We are looking into other options. 

We are not sitting in idleness. 

But we are standing in confidence in our God.  He is mighty!