How many times have you been surprised by God’s plan for your life?
Have you ever been shocked by His plan?
Have you ever thought, seriously, Lord, surely you don’t mean me?
Wait, you want me to do what?
That’s not my plan, God.
Are you sure?
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“Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.’” (Joshua 3:5, NIV)
The roaring waters of the Jordan River stood between the Israelites and their promised land. Did God really want them to step into those cold waters in flood season, carrying their heavy yet precious Ark of the Covenant? Did they trust that He would do what He said He would do and part the waters the moment their feet were engulfed? Would they step out in faith as they considered all the past promises God had fulfilled?
Do we trust God when He asks us to step out into unknown turbulent waters?
Will we follow His call no matter the cost, trusting in His promises and plan over our own?
As I look back over my life, even as a child, I can see the fingerprints of God preparing my heart to accept His call to adopt. After a five year struggle through infertility, His gentle whisper became a bullhorn. My husband and I had to come to a place where we were ready to acknowledge that our dream of curly red headed children was not God’s. Remembering the promises of our Father and trusting His plan over ours, we were ready to take that first step in those raging waters of uncertainty.
We were excited to start the adoption process, but I realize now we had not completely let go of our own preconceived notions and ideas about how it would turn out. We had put our toes into the water when God wanted us to jump in with both feet firmly planted in Him. After several months of paperwork and road blocks in our initial plan to adopt a baby from Taiwan, our caseworker mentioned that prospective parents were starting to consider children from China designated as having “Special Needs.” Frankly, it sounded a little scary. We looked at each, initially with fear and trepidation, and said, “we don’t think so,” but God had other plans. He began to work in our hearts and brought people into our lives who had adopted children from China on the waiting child list and showed us that He had a completely different plan, one far more wonderful than anything we could have imagined with our finite minds. He showed us that we didn’t need be scared. We simply needed to open our eyes to see all these beautiful children, created by their Creator, perfect in His eyes, and waiting for us to adopt them! How wrong and selfish we were! We were looking at it through the eyes of the world, not the eyes of our Heavenly Father.
God gently whispered into our hearts. “I love you regardless of your imperfections. I love you so much that I sent my one and only flawless Son to die for your sins. If you were already perfect, you wouldn’t need me. All My children are beautiful, and I have some very special ones to entrust to your care.”
Now we see these “Special Needs” children as “Special” amazing children in “Need” of or “Waiting” for their forever family. What if God had said, “Oh, I don’t want to save people with problems, only perfect people?” None of us are worthy of Him yet He loves us!
The truth of the matter is that many children on this list in China have things that can be corrected in the United States such as cleft lip/palate or limb deformities. I am not saying that this is an easy path or one that should be tread lightly, and of course, there are children on these lists with even more severe issues. But does God always call us to the easiest path? If God has called you to adopt, pray about God’s plan for your adoption and seek His will alone. Don’t focus on the fact that you want a “healthy” child but rather on the child God has for you. When you know that you are following Him and His will for your life, step out in faith, trusting in His perfect plan. Yes, there will rapids along the way, but He has promised to carry you through those times of trial and difficulty that are inevitable. He will be faithful. WE CAN TRUST HIM!!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understand. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6, NIV)
Bio: After struggling with infertility for five years, God led Suzanne and her husband Adam to His Plan A for their lives—adoption! Their daughter, Grace Lihua, came into their lives in 2011 from the Fujian Province, China. Their son, Anthony Jianyou, joined their family in January of 2013 from Shanghai, and another little girl will be joining their family in 2015 from the Hunan Province. After a career in politics, Suzanne is thankful for God’s provision in their lives that now allows her to work part time as a Pilates instructor while home schooling their children. You can follow their adoption journey and life on their blog, Surpassing Greatness.
This is wonderful and tonight was the right time to me to read it!