One thing I have struggled with in blogging about this adoption journey is remaining real and true. I think sometimes I appear to have things "together" (whatever that means) because I struggle with revealing some of the wide range of emotions we have felt during this time. You experience everything from the mountain top to valley low, and the unfortunate truth (or fortunate, depending on how you look at life) is that very little of this process is in my control. And God has definitely used this process to draw us closer to Him, so I don't want to appear patronizing or trite by saying things like, "God is always good" or "God is in control."
Thus brings me to the point of this post. I received a phone call from AWAA today, informing me that MOWA (the Ministry of Orphans and Women's Affairs in Ethiopia) is putting a hold on some of their international adoptions. Ours is one of them. I can't reveal the details as to why, but, again, none of these details are in our control. No one is quite sure as to how long this will delay things, but a similar situation occurred last fall and delayed things by about a month. It could be longer, or it could be shorter. We just don't know. (In case you are wondering, our court date will likely not happen on the 26th, because without MOWA's recommendation letter, the judge can't approve our case.)
Honestly, when I first saw who was calling me today, I had all kinds of thoughts, like maybe for some strange reason a judge heard our case today, maybe they're calling to tell me our travel can be expedited, or something else exciting. This was certainly the very last piece of news I expected to hear. And then almost immediately, before the tears or anger or despair could come, I heard a line from Sara Groves' "Song for My Sons" in my head.
I can not say that life will always go on as it should,
But I can say that God is always good.
Believe me, the tears have come, and we are heartbroken at the thought of another unknowable wait, but I'm trying to take comfort in Christ tonight. God is always good. Our baby girl won't be in Ethiopia one day longer than He predetermined. And I don't want to dismiss the fact that I do still have one very powerful tool: prayer. James tells us the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (5:16). I feel God laying it on my heart to have a period of prayer and fasting, not only for our situation, but for the other families this affects, the children who are waiting in Ethiopia, and the entire process. Let's come together over the next 7 days and ask for God to work in a mighty way in Ethiopia. If you have any interest in joining us, please leave me a comment or send me an email. I'll post our prayer/petition for each day, and let's ask God to move this mountain from our path.
We'll start today with this verse from the Psalms.
"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart, and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:13-14
Honestly, when I first saw who was calling me today, I had all kinds of thoughts, like maybe for some strange reason a judge heard our case today, maybe they're calling to tell me our travel can be expedited, or something else exciting. This was certainly the very last piece of news I expected to hear. And then almost immediately, before the tears or anger or despair could come, I heard a line from Sara Groves' "Song for My Sons" in my head.
I can not say that life will always go on as it should,
But I can say that God is always good.
Believe me, the tears have come, and we are heartbroken at the thought of another unknowable wait, but I'm trying to take comfort in Christ tonight. God is always good. Our baby girl won't be in Ethiopia one day longer than He predetermined. And I don't want to dismiss the fact that I do still have one very powerful tool: prayer. James tells us the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (5:16). I feel God laying it on my heart to have a period of prayer and fasting, not only for our situation, but for the other families this affects, the children who are waiting in Ethiopia, and the entire process. Let's come together over the next 7 days and ask for God to work in a mighty way in Ethiopia. If you have any interest in joining us, please leave me a comment or send me an email. I'll post our prayer/petition for each day, and let's ask God to move this mountain from our path.
We'll start today with this verse from the Psalms.
"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart, and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:13-14
5 comments:
Count me in! I'll pray like crazy!
I'm so sorry to hear about this delay, Sarah. You know we are always here for you in whatever way you need us. You can always call me if you need to talk!
I'm in as well! I don't know if this is appropriate or not, but you have really been teaching me a lot about faith and trusting in God's plans. I especially like what you wrote about the fact that your baby will not be in Ethiopia one more day than God has already planned. So true. Looking forward to joining you in prayer...
Man, my heart is heavy for you....How hard to know that there will be a delay, no matter if it was just one day or many, it must be so hard to be apart from her. I love your steadfast faith in Our Father, I need more of that, and I accept your call for prayer over the next week. Thank you for making this a priority in your wait. Our God is good.
Of course!
Something my Charlie sent me several days before he went to be with God...
"When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need."
Always makes me cry but truer words were never spoken. We love all 3 of you.
I admire you both so much. You are so patient and faithful. You are ALL in my prayers-Mia too!
Post a Comment