"The Point"
I was kind of kicking myself for adding this part to our blog... it is probably the most important, and it is impossible to put everything in here that we believe God is doing in this situation. And even if we did, it would most assuredly be insufficient.
However, as I have put in the title, this is the whole point so I just pray that God will give me the words to say.
It is inexpressible the impression that Joel and I have about the severity of the need for us to move beyond the desires of this world and start seeing the people God created through His eyes. God did not suggest that we care for orphans (and widows for that matter) because it would fulfill us (although it has a strange way of doing that, too!), but because it paints the picture that He wants the world to see. That is our obligation... not an option! How God calls people to do that is as different as a hand is from a foot, but this is the work we are to be about. And when we relegate the care of orphans to governments and only infertile couples, then we are totally missing the point. God provides for it because it is His job... HE is the father to the fatherless.
That said, God has used this whole process to sanctify us in so many different ways. I don't think I can think of all the ways that He has been teaching us, and I'm sure this list would be endless, but here are just a few things God is doing to sanctify us.
While we were going through the "Safe Families" time when we didn't know if Hudson was going to remain part of our family or not, we were reminded that Hudson is God's.... but that our girls are God's, too. We are not assured a lifetime with them. We must teach them and pray for them like we don't know how long we have with them... because we don't.
God doesn't want us to just "get through" our trials... we were made for victory, and we can have confidence in our God. (Thank you Eric Ludy for confirming this!) There is so much I could say here. I keep deleting things.... please just pray that God would open your heart and mind to Himself fully... and come talk to me! I am always ready to talk about this! It is THE passion in my heart... because it is all God.
God is in control of every facet of our lives, not just the big ones.
You can have a bunch of people living in the same house, but that doesn't make them a family. Only God can do that. Every time it is a miracle.
God provides specifically and it usually requires much faith!
However, as I have put in the title, this is the whole point so I just pray that God will give me the words to say.
It is inexpressible the impression that Joel and I have about the severity of the need for us to move beyond the desires of this world and start seeing the people God created through His eyes. God did not suggest that we care for orphans (and widows for that matter) because it would fulfill us (although it has a strange way of doing that, too!), but because it paints the picture that He wants the world to see. That is our obligation... not an option! How God calls people to do that is as different as a hand is from a foot, but this is the work we are to be about. And when we relegate the care of orphans to governments and only infertile couples, then we are totally missing the point. God provides for it because it is His job... HE is the father to the fatherless.
That said, God has used this whole process to sanctify us in so many different ways. I don't think I can think of all the ways that He has been teaching us, and I'm sure this list would be endless, but here are just a few things God is doing to sanctify us.
While we were going through the "Safe Families" time when we didn't know if Hudson was going to remain part of our family or not, we were reminded that Hudson is God's.... but that our girls are God's, too. We are not assured a lifetime with them. We must teach them and pray for them like we don't know how long we have with them... because we don't.
God doesn't want us to just "get through" our trials... we were made for victory, and we can have confidence in our God. (Thank you Eric Ludy for confirming this!) There is so much I could say here. I keep deleting things.... please just pray that God would open your heart and mind to Himself fully... and come talk to me! I am always ready to talk about this! It is THE passion in my heart... because it is all God.
God is in control of every facet of our lives, not just the big ones.
You can have a bunch of people living in the same house, but that doesn't make them a family. Only God can do that. Every time it is a miracle.
God provides specifically and it usually requires much faith!