Alot has been going on in our lives these past few weeks. And this momma has not handled it all gracefully either! As a matter of fact, I have been totally knocked off my feet! But God is faithful and He sends angels to encamp around those who love and honor Him. For the past few weeks these angels have carried me and interceded for me when I couldn't even seem to muster a word. Thank you so much to those of you who have prayed and carried me through these past weeks. And for those that don't know, well that story is in the making! Just know that God is still God and He is writing my story and I am forever grateful for the path He has set me on. Now on to the reason for this post!
Yesterday was Mother's Day(well it was when I wrote this!), and my intentions were for Rylie and I to go to a mom's breakfast at church before church started but, my morning had alittle turn of "emotions" and I decided to just stay home and worship from here while the rest of the family went on to our church service, knowing that I could catch it live online.
Now, let me back up for just a minute. Because of the storm we have found ourselves in, I have been so concerned about our adoption of Josiah. How was this going to effect it?? What if they say no??? What if ??????????? You get the picture, right?? Well, the Lord and I have been havin some real serious conversations about this and just like always, He continues to show me that only through faith in Him are we going to make it through ANY trials that come our way. Nothing is too big for God. Nothing surprises God. I am to handle this situation just like I handle ALL situations that come our way. And that's through Him and with Him. And I know this. "BUT GOD..........I REALLY need a "visual" sign. Maybe You could do that one more time for me?? I trust you Lord, I do, but I'm really scared. More than anything, I want YOUR will to be done here. I never wanted or want any of this to be about my will." During this conversation with Him I was holding a picture of Josiah that was taken at his orphanage probably about a year and a half ago and then I randomly stuck his picture back in my bible.
Now back to yesterday, Sunday, Mother's Day. Just like it was suppose to our church service came on live at 11:00 with praise and worship music having already started and soon to be followed with Shannon's sermon. At some point right before the music team finished I got up to go do something and when I came back Shannon had already started his sermon. Now I thought it was kinda funny that he wasn't preaching a "Mother's Message" but what do I know!! Besides, I had missed the first part of the sermon so maybe he already said what he was gonna say about mothers day and had just gone on with the series that we have been on for a few weeks.(oh, and I also missed last week) Never thought another thing about. Got my bible and began following along. Like alot of times, it was as if he (our pastor) was talking directly to me or at me. As he began to wrap things up, he had one more passage to discuss and that's when it happened...........the very last scripture he referred to was in 1 John Chapter 4. I began to flip over to it and when I got there............there he was, my picture of Josiah. But more than that.......There.HE.was. And at the top of the page at some time or another I had written "GOD IS LOVE." And verses were underlined, one of them saying, "We love because he first loved us." Remember I said God and I had been having alot of conversations about our little guy?? I asked specifically for a visual sign and the Lord provided me with what I needed to keep us moving forward with His plan for us. And the underlined verse went right with it! We love BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US! THAT is the reason we go. That's the reason for Cole being here. That is the reason we went to Russia for Gabe. That is the reason we are going to China for Josiah. I can give you more, yes, but they all go back to God's love for us. Thank you Lord Jesus for continuing to show me. Use me Lord to bring love to others, especially the unloved and unwanted in this fallen world we live.
NOW THE BEST PART OF THE STORY!!!!!!
I had just dried up my "thankful tears" when Rick and the kids got home from church. Rylie came in and handed me a beautiful rose and said "Guess what scripture the sermon was over today? 1 Samuel blah blah blah ******* "WHAT???????????" I said???? Huh??? No, the sermon was over spiritual gifts!!Right???? "No, it was all about mommas and Mother's day," Rylie said, "thought you were going to listen to it?" "I did listen," I said, "only I didn't hear the same one ya'll did!" BUT, I heard the one God had for me.
And then the tears began to fall again.(just as they are as I write this. :) ) Thankful, happy, in awe of, tears. In awe of a Savior who is in EVERY DETAIL of the stories He is directing us to live out and tell.
Guess I didn't have a "live" service after all!!! But let me assure you of this.......I serve an ALIVE Lord and Savior. I don't have a clue how my story will end. All I know is, it will end! But that END will just be the beginning for those who believe and stand firm on that believeth.
So, stayed tuned for, in the words of Cole Lawrence.....THE REST OF THE STORY soon to come!
May you and yours be blessed.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7