Sometimes We Need Encouragement

At times when you are in this process it can be daunting. Comparing pregnancy to adoption - I can tell you there are similarities and differences. I will only comment up to this point as I have not gone far enough to give valid opinions much farther. I will make those observations later. *smile* But I can tell you, having had six *amazing* pregnancies - where I had a minimal 1-3 weeks nausea, climbed fences til I gave birth, complete labour and deliveries in 1.5 hours (5 times) - my pregnancies were easy! So the waiting and waiting and waiting part of the adoption will be harder than the pregnancy!

Last night a few things crossed my mind - I was reading blogs and certain things were coming up that could discourage me and I could think - what about that? Or that? etc. In themselves, if I focussed on them, I could become overwhelmed and think - this adoption probably won't happen! But then I am reminded that if this is God's will - it doesn't matter what obstacles come up - He knows about them and they are already planned for and already worked out!

This morning I read my devotions and each one on today's date, related to what I was feeling. I got a number of encouraging words:

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Hab 3:17-18

This is the devotion related to these words:

.... this text evidently implies the following particulars: That in the day of his distress he would fly to God; that he would maintain a holy composure of spirit under this dark dispensation, may, that in the midst of all he would indulge in a sacred joy in God, and a cheerful expectation from Him. Heroic confidence!

The second one - from Robert Schuller:

"The Lord is my strength, my song, and my salvation." Exodus 15:2

.... Don't wait because something is risky. Break loose and begin before it's possible. Only then will your dream really become a possibility!

I am making my decisions on God's ability, not on my ability.

And the last one: My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers:

"Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?" Matthew 8:26

When we are in fear we can do nothing less than pray to God, but our Lord has a right to expect that those who name His name should have an understanding confidence in Him. God expects His children to be so confident in Him that in any crisis they are the reliable ones. Our trust is in God up to a certain point, then we go back to the elementary panic prayers of those who do not know God. We get to our wit's end, showing that we have not the slightest confidence in Him and His government of the world; He seems to be asleep and we see nothing but breakers ahead.

"O ye of little faith!" If we have been learning to worship God and to trust Him, the crisis will reveal that we will go to the breaking point and not break in our confidence in Him.

Boy, oh, boy!! Thank you, Lord, for these encouraging words! I am *thankful* that when I *do* begin to 'fear', my mind *immediately* slides over to where I am reminded that if God is in this *He will* see this through. No matter what! So I remind myself *not* to look ahead at the possible boulders that may and quite probably will, be in the road ahead!

Just look to the PROMISE and stay focused on that. And the problems will be mounted as you come to them. And also, look *back* at the mercies and small helps and of course, the big helps that mysteriously come your way!

A small help - for instance: I was trying to get hold of a friend who will be taking care of our two littlest boys while we are at the seminar. She was not home. She had moved to the coast (3.5 hours away) and we had not had contact for the last three weeks. The very next day, her husband drives into my driveway! He was picking something up that belonged to their oldest son, but because he was here I was able to confirm our babysitting arrangements. God is good!