"Do not be afraid for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from the east and west. I will say to the north and south, 'Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth. Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.'"
Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. Gather the nations together! Assemble the peoples of the world! Which of their idols has ever foretold such things? Which can predict what will happen tomorrow? Where are the witnesses of such predictions? Who can verify that they spoke the truth?
"But you are my witnesses, O Israel!" says the Lord. "You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God-- there never has been, and there never will be. I, yes I, am the Lord, and there is no other Savior. First I predicted your rescue, then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world. No foreign god has ever done this. You are witnesses that I am the only God," says the Lord. "From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done." Isaiah 43:5-13
What a privilege to serve this God. The same One who brought the Israelites out of Egypt is bringing our son to us from the other side of the world. He heard the prayers of a group of faithful prayer warriors in Costa Rica*, who prayed last summer that a family would come forward for this child. He heard the prayers of the workers at Bethel, who prayed specifically that Charlie would be the youngest in a family. He opened my heart to this particular child and heard my prayers that my husband (who said we were done at two) would open his heart to another. He gave us favor and speed in the first part of the process that went so quickly, and He held me and sustained me in the second part that went so slowly-- even when I was mad at Him. He is providing financial support through many who have given toward our adoption. He orchestrated for 2 other boys, that have been friends, and classmates for years at Bethel, to be adopted to the same town, in the same summer-- possibly at the same time! (Lord, let it be so!) What a kind, and gracious God He is! To care so much, and to beautifully weave this amazing story, all out of love.
I am so very thankful to be a part of this story. It is an honor and privilege. It has increased my faith and taught me to trust, even when I don't know why certain things are happening the way the are. It has not always been easy, but it definitely has brought me closer to the heart of God.
If you have considered adoption, prayerfully consider taking that step.
You will not regret it.
And speaking of adoption, the Lord has adopted our Sam and Kate as His son and daughter! They accepted Jesus as their savior and got baptized last night! I cannot wait to see how He uses them, and the roles that they get to play in His stories!
*Stephen and I were missionaries in Costa Rica in 2003-2004. We have never met these women who were praying for Charlie, but God certainly used them to bless us.
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