...and that's to be expected. Considering we went into our adoption pretty open-minded, we sure have been surprised as this has all played out.
Adoption is unexpected!
We've learned a lot about letting go of our "plans" and surrendering our lives to the will of God instead. His plans are always best and better than our own. When we yield to Him, He's trustworthy to reveal what He intends.
"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand." Proverbs 19:21
Will we resist when changes come?
Will we fear when the unpredictable arrives?
Will we plant our suppositions on what we've thought we would do?
[OR]
Will we prayerfully surrender our lives to God's perfect will?
Will we cast our anxieties on Him, since perfect love casts out fear?
Will we follow the Good Shepherd into the unknown?
These are absolutely questions we've asked ourselves this past year of our adoption, in particular as we have had key decisions to make.
A twist of unexpected events has landed in our inbox and we've made our choice to say yes. No picture was needed, just prayer, and unity amidst our family.
"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever." Psalm 138:8
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:1-3
Soaking in truth, we proceed, and another member joins our clan. Mystified (stupefied, really) we wonder how this all happened and yet we walk through the open door, knowing that God is in control. Guarded, my heart awaits the next chapter of this unexpected journey, but I trust the One who's leading...SO much more than myself and I welcome His unexpected adventure.
We pray and cling and trust and pray, knowing we're in Good Hands. We could never have written our story as wonderfully as God has chosen to write it. We could never have predicted what He already knew. And we've settled our minds to just watch it unfold as the Lord deems best, keeping our focus on Him, no matter what the future brings.
My heart rejoices as we welcome a new little precious soul into our family and I love that God has chosen for us what we never saw coming. Nevertheless, we resolve that it's alright with us that adoption is so predictably unexpected, because we know that there are no surprises for Him.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
