Learning the art of waiting well is a tough lesson I'm working through. It's a Spiritual discipline that has to be learned, grasped or experienced at some point in life. I don't think it's one I'll conquer, and I'm trying to appreciate the "refining" that happens in the process. On the road we've chosen for our international adoption, we're looking at a 2-3 year wait from the point of all our paperwork being submitted. We're not even through the bulk of the paper work yet...
At times the process seems so overwhelming and I'm tempted to question and let bitterness creep in. Like why is it so difficult and time consuming to adopt from countries where the orphanages are overcrowded and children are in desperate need of a family and home? I try to think back to Spiritual truths in this journey as it's my one true sense of comfort. The Israelites waited thousands of years for Jesus, their long-awaited Savior. In the meantime, they were given the law. A measure by which no man could be counted righteous. (Deut. 5) We read of their despair and many times the prophets did question when God would bring about their redemption. (Eze. 7:23-27) Jesus did come in God's perfect timing and He fulfilled the prophesy of the Old Testament. (Eph. 1:4-14) I also remember what Jesus endured so that I could be adopted as a daughter and it puts my struggles in perspective. (Romans 5) Jesus left Heaven and his community with the Father and the Spirit to be clothed in flesh and became poor. He lived a perfect life, yet was beaten and crucified like he was a criminal. He endured for our good and to cover the sins of the world so we could be reconciled. (Isaiah 53) Therefore, I must endure and persevere so that our child can come home.
I will share some practicals that I have learned from the Word and friends who have been through the adoption process. Prayer. Praying for our child who may or may not be in the world yet. Praying for their formation in the womb, praying for their safety, their protection. This helps to bond us to our child that we don't know yet. (Psalm 139:13-16) Resting. (Matthew 11:28-30) Finding peace and rest in God's timing and His will. Continuing to walk in obedience as we know He is faithful to complete the good works He has called us to. (Eph. 2:10) Saving. The cost to adopt can seem daunting. Given the length of time we have, we can bite off little pieces at a time and it doesn't seem so overwhelming.
In short, waiting well is made possible with trust. Trust is possible through a relationship with the Father and intimately knowing Him and trusting what He says. I find most of my struggles boil down to disbelief. Yet in my struggle and disbelief, He is still faithful and full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:10-11 "Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As
you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard
of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought
about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."
A prayer for our child today:
Dear sweet one,
I'm excited to meet you one day. Even though I haven't met you yet, I miss you. I think of you often and imagine you in our lives. I pray that "E" gets to be your big brother. I hope you're doing well wherever you are right now, whether a thought in the Lord's mind or being formed in your mother's womb. I pray you're safe and free from harm. I pray you get the nutrition you need to grow and develop. Mom and Dad are waiting for you and will pursue you no matter what it takes. We love you and I know you can feel it even though you don't know it yet.
Love,
Your Mom
