Hello, all! I want to take a minute to fill you in on our adoption of Biruk Abigail this month. As you know, we went to Ethiopia and stood before the court on June 1. We were in court with 3 other families, and none of us "passed" because we are missing the much-needed letter from the Ministry of Women and Youth Affairs. We need that letter for our files to be complete. After this letter comes in, our cases will be submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Addis and we will wait another 8 to 12 weeks before we can travel to go and get our sweet, sweet daughter.
As you may imagine, this waiting is not our first choice. It feels llloooonnnggg. It feels frustrating. It feels like a gigantic hole is in our family and we so long for Biruk to fill it. And in the middle of all of the conflicting and difficult emotions, there is our Savior. The Sovereign Lord over all things. The Light for the step we're on and the Great Architect of our lives. A wise woman whom I've just had the pleasure of meeting over Facebook (of all places!) said that she would be praying for us in the sacredness of the wait. That phrase caught my attention and I've been meditating on it for a week now. Can waiting really be sacred, holy, a set-apart period of time? The more I think on it, the more I believe it's true. I can whine, fret, and be frustrated over this situation and completely miss the presence of God in and through the wait. To what end?? To feel down and devoid of joy? OR, I can choose to look at this period of our lives as holy ground, a place to take off my sandals and behold the glory of God. To bask in the Presence. To allow Him to be strength in my weary soul. To allow Him to draw me near and speak truth over me and love into me. To watch as He knits my husband and I closer together and more deeply, and relish it. This seems like a better use of my time :)
"Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:5
As you may imagine, this waiting is not our first choice. It feels llloooonnnggg. It feels frustrating. It feels like a gigantic hole is in our family and we so long for Biruk to fill it. And in the middle of all of the conflicting and difficult emotions, there is our Savior. The Sovereign Lord over all things. The Light for the step we're on and the Great Architect of our lives. A wise woman whom I've just had the pleasure of meeting over Facebook (of all places!) said that she would be praying for us in the sacredness of the wait. That phrase caught my attention and I've been meditating on it for a week now. Can waiting really be sacred, holy, a set-apart period of time? The more I think on it, the more I believe it's true. I can whine, fret, and be frustrated over this situation and completely miss the presence of God in and through the wait. To what end?? To feel down and devoid of joy? OR, I can choose to look at this period of our lives as holy ground, a place to take off my sandals and behold the glory of God. To bask in the Presence. To allow Him to be strength in my weary soul. To allow Him to draw me near and speak truth over me and love into me. To watch as He knits my husband and I closer together and more deeply, and relish it. This seems like a better use of my time :)
"Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Exodus 3:5
I love you Jennifer! you have a heart of gold and you have such a great family! In a way I know the feeling since both my boys made me wait a long time for them! I expected Wade to come early so I felt like I was pregnant for 10 months instead of 9!
ReplyDeleteAfter my dear Jennie was in the hospital for several months, in my quiet time early on Christmas morning, this scripture brought me comfort; I hope it brings you comfort as well.
ReplyDeleteYet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! ~Isaiah 30:18
As I read this I think of one of my favorite quotes from an amazing godly woman and author....
ReplyDelete"It is interesting to know that when God gives a man some significant
task to preform, He first tests his power of patience. We should be
people of ambition, nevertheless it is with patience as well as push
that we win our Christian race of life."
-Frieda Schneider
Is this quote from a book, Jade? I'd love to read it!
ReplyDelete