Several months ago, I was listing to a podcast from one of my favorite pastor’s in which he was preaching on Peter’s miraculous water walking experience. Now I have heard this story many times and can tell it with great detail. However, when the pastor shared his main point, I saw something that I had never seen before. The pastor’s main focus was a question, “Are you willing to do what only you can do in order to see God do what only he can do?”
This question was extremely relevant to me because my wife and I had just begun our adoption process, knowing that on paper there was no way we could pull it off. As I began wrestling with that question and reading Peter’s story over and over, God began speaking to me about this idea of “the space in-between.” The space in-between being the time frame between when you clearly hear God’s invitation to act and that moment when what he is inviting you into comes to pass. For instance, the space in-between Abraham hearing God’s call to sacrifice the son of promise and him raising the knife in the air to take his son’s life, or the space in-between Joseph receiving a prophetic dream from God and saving all of Egypt (including his family) from famine, or the space in-between Peter hearing God’s invitation to join him ON the water and taking his first step out of the boat and the list goes on.
Scripture says that God is able to do immeasurably more than we think or imagine. I am convinced most Christians do not get to experience the supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit in their lives because they are not willing to put themselves in the space in-between. The space in-between what we can think and imagine and what God can do above and beyond that is a scary place for us because it requires total trust in God. To use the words of the preacher, it takes doing all that we can do in order to see God do what only he can do. It means being out of control and in faith.
As I walk through the space in-between hearing God’s word to adopt and bringing my little girl home, I am full of confidence in my God and his ability to come through. Though our ability to facilitate this adoption is as nonexistent as Peter’s ability to walk on water, I know God is abundantly able! What is God calling you to? What life changing experience is he inviting you into? Whatever it is, I pray you find the courage to accept his invite and journey through the space in-between…it’s worth it!
Showing posts with label Lessons We Are Learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lessons We Are Learning. Show all posts
God's Ways Are Not Our Ways!
While Jason is usually the one who blogs about the adoption, God has been speaking some things to my heart that I wanted to share. It has been about two months since God first called us to adopt. We answered the call by researching, praying, and talking with our children about the decision. Eager to find our child, I spent long hours on the computer inquiring about programs, countries, and restrictions. I even filled out applications. I knew that we did not have the money to start the process, but I assumed God would come through for us. I was extremely disappointed when the possibility of increasing my teacher pay, through National Board Certification, fell though by three points. I was very angry at God. I could not imagine why he would not want me to pass and have that extra 12% of my income to put toward the adoption.
Sometimes, when God leads me to move, I take the lead and try to finish on my own. Jason and I decided that Taiwan was the country for us. We met their requirements and enjoyed the thought of an Asian daughter. Last week, God spoke to my heart concerning our adoption country. Not even three weeks ago, I was certain I could not handle the issues of a multiracial family. While I still have fears (like how to do a little black girl’s hair), I feel that God has been preparing our hearts for a child of another race. We are now prayerfully considering adopting from an African country, possibly Uganda.
While I am still praying through my questions about not passing my National Boards, I know that God’s plan is bigger and better than mine. If we would have gotten that money, we would have sent $2,000.00 to the adoption agency to begin the process in Taiwan.
We ask you to continue praying for us, the adoption and our finances. Adoptions in Uganda can be done various ways including privately and with an agency. Because Uganda has only recently opened up to international adoptions, the process can have many bumps along the way. Pray that God will lead us to our daughter and show us when decisions need to be made on this journey. Also pray for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our child. Many orphanages go without food for several days. Uganda is a war-torn and dangerous country. The kids and I pray every morning that God will protect her and fill her belly with food. Thank you for sharing in this journey with our family. We hope that one day you will get to meet the little one we have all been praying for.
Adoption
This is one of the videos God used at Catalyst this year to confirm his call on mine and Amy's life to adopt!
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