The Plan

Our October 1 number is #32. Not much movement, but I really do think that a lot of referrals will happen in October. I am feeling very positive about that, and constantly checking (ok stalking) the AAI Moms facebook page looking for news!

In the meantime...my silly husband gave my name to our church as someone who would like to contribute a devotional about a faith event in my life for a stewardship devotional that will be given out this month to all church members. Of course, a faith event so fresh in my mind is our adoption journey, so that is what I wrote about and I have included it here in our blog since it shows much honesty about what has been going on these past few years.

See you in November with a MUCH lower number! :)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11

I have become especially passionate about The Plan. A little over three years ago, it started off as a fairly easy plan. Loving family has two children and has room and a lot more love to give so wants to grow their family through adoption. Loving family chooses a country to adopt from and an agency to help guide them through The Plan. Complicated paperchase takes place but is finished at a record time. Loving family then sits back for an expected short 6-12 months and waits for The Call to come pick up their child so they return home to live happily ever after.

If you noticed the three years at the start of this and if you have seen us in church with our two children, you know right away that something has gone very wrong with The Plan. There have been many things in my adult life I have wanted very badly and I have worked very hard at getting those things with just a little reliance on God. I didn’t expect adoption to be any different. I have referred to the verse referenced here and struggle with it, sometimes even accusing God that he is not provided this hope and has not prospered The Plan.

But, something has gone very right with The Plan. This Child of God has now grown tenfold in reliance on God in all things, has learned that it’s not all about her and the future referenced in Jeremiah may not look like we think. There is now much hope in a different country and agency and much hope in the child(ren) meant for us. There is a birth mom that I wasn’t praying for and was not giving thanks for her sacrifice. I am learning to have peace and trust even when starting over, when unexpected things are happening and when the wait feels unbearable. I am learning to appreciate and fully love my family as it is right now even when it is not complete. I thank God that The Plan has not gone my way!

You may have a plan already laid out for stewardship. A plan of exactly how much to give and a plan of how you would like your giving to be used. I pray that we all rely heavily on God to provide our needs and be open to the possibility of a different plan for our giving, a plan that may have a much more beautiful future than originally expected.

MELISSA