There is Hope. And it's such a beautiful thing! Last night, my sister, Sarah, hosted a Pampered Chef fundraiser party for the adoption. A good friend from church came, and stayed afterwards for pizza and a game. We talked and laughed, and had a wonderful time. This friend, aside from one of my grandmothers and my favorite uncle, is probably the most adamant supporter we have as far as adoption is concerned. Anyway, we were talking about something completely unrelated, and she just simply said "I'm still praying about that benefactor, you know." In fact, it's something I've heard from several friends this week. I replied, "We are to, but it's ok with us if God uses a different route to." Can you guess what her reply was? I'm not sure I'd ever heard such a confident answer concerning a prayer waiting to be answered. "Oh, God is going to use that donor. He's just waiting for the right time." Wow.
I've been reading the book "Wrestling Prayer" by Eric and Leslie Ludy again, and once again I was reminded that it's ok to ask God very specifically, and it's ok to trust Him fully! Also, I've been reading through George Muller's biography....the answered prayers in there are enough to lift anyone's faith. You see, my mom had prayed that Thomas and Juliana would be home by Christmas. And all of us were becoming discouraged, knowing that it won't happen. Of course, we knew going into it that it was a huge, crazy prayer, but still... and then God gave us hope. So maybe the children won't be home by Christmas, but God will provide everything necessary to bring them home, and perhaps by Christmas we'll have the full amount needed!
As if God's gentle nudging to faith and hope weren't enough, God really spoke to me this morning. I usually wake up shortly before 6, make some tea, and sit down with my Bible and prayer journal. I opened my Bible, and out peeked those precious photos of my siblings. I cried for a moment, just missing them so much. And then I asked God for something. I wasn't looking for Him to give me an audible voice or anything, I just wanted more than human words affirming His faithfulness. I needed to hear it straight from Him. I've been reading through Psalms, in addition to me verse by verse studies. Usually I read through one full page, usually 2-3 chapters. Probably just coincidence, but here are those chapters from today:
Psalms 145:1 <> I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.
6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.
7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.
11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
~I love how this Psalm speaks of God's provision, and how He answers those that call upon Him in truth! But there's more!
Psalms 146:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7 Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10 The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
~How much clearer could it be? God is so real, so tangible, and He cares enough to send words like these to a soul that is clinging desperately to hope. He sent these words, not so that I could feel better, although I do. He sent them that I might truly believe them, and that His name might be glorified. I just couldn't stop, so I read on to the next chapter:
Psalms 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
2 The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.
14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.
~I was realizing, while reading this chapter, that I've been waiting for God to start working. That I've been looking for Him to do something. The reality? He's been moving all along. He was moving when He led me to finish highschool 3 years early. He was moving when He directed me to CollegePlus, where I met Lissie and was introduced to the plight of Russian orphans. He was moving when He provided for Mom and I to go to Russia and meet Thomas and Juliana. Why would I think that He'd suddenly stopped moving? No, He's still moving. He's accomplishing His will. He's just working where I can't see Him right now. And you know what? That's okay! Just like when my Daddy goes to work, I can't see what He's doing, but I know he's providing for everything I need. God is so good! He gives exactly what we need when we need it - what a blessed way to start the Lord's day!
