Last month I had an unforgettable "Aha Moment." Our boys desperately wanted two things: a new puppy and a trip to Disneyland. And guess what? Mike and I knew that they were getting both! They had no idea what was about to happen...
We had just gotten a call about Rocky from a friend. We knew that he was available to "foster/adopt," but we didn't want to tell the kids until we confirmed with our landlord. We also knew that our close friends, the Justines, were coming that week and we had saved enough money to go to Disneyland with their family. The boys had no idea that THEIR DREAMS WERE ABOUT TO COME TRUE! They would get a new puppy and go to Disneyland in the same week!
Aidan was the "star of the week" in his class that week. His teacher let me come to hear his presentation about his life, talents, dreams and passions. As I sat in the chair and listened to Aidan, I was so proud of him. He is an amazing young man who proudly shared about his baptism this summer and his faith with his class. Then he told his class about losing Toby, and how desperately he wanted a new dog. I WAS ABOUT TO BURST! I knew that we were probably getting a dog (2 days later), but I couldn't tell him yet. I also knew we were going to Disneyland 4 days later. I wanted to tell Aidan all of the amazing plans we had for him, but it wasn't the right time yet.
Suddenly it hit me. My "Aha Moment." God must feel this way about us. He looks down on His children with amazing plans that are way beyond our imagination. He whispers into our ears, "My child. Wait. Trust. I have an incredible plan that I am perfecting in this very moment." Yet we kick, cry and scream. "Why aren't things working out the way I want them to? Why is this taking so long? Why do things seem so unfair?" The truth is that HE HAS IT ALL FIGURED OUT. And His timing is perfect. That's right, perfect. Absolutely perfect.
God has had an amazing adoption plan for our family since the beginning of time. He knew it would be Korea, we thought it was El Salvador. He knew it would be in 2011, we thought it would be 2009. He knew that He would open doors for me to travel to El Salvador and Guatemala this past year. He was calling me to work with All Blessings Intl. but we had never even heard of them. God allowed me to meet Carmen Elena in Washington DC (while meeting with America World). Carmen is the contact who made our "divine appointment" with the Procuradora (Attorney General) of El Salvador. Our contacts in El Salvador needed to fall through so that we could connect with Lucy Armistead (the Founder of All Blessings Intl.) and Lucy escorted us to the Procuradora's office. Lucy just "happened" to be in El Salvador when we needed help. And she just "happened" to need a new staff member with a background in missions.
God allowed all of these painful situations to bring us into relationship with Lucy and All Blessings. And He allowed our pain of waiting for a child to cause a deep burden and passion in our hearts for orphans. It has all been for a purpose.
God is so good. We simply need to wait and trust. Easier said than done for us mortals, but I hope to never forget this incredible "Aha moment."
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! " - Matthew 6:9-11
Amen!
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog through Amber Booy. I wanted to tell you what an encouragement your words are. We have not been waiting nearly as long as you and often not very patiently. Thank you for reminding us that God is in control and that his timing is perfect.
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