3 lessons I've learned during our adoption

I feel a sense of urgency to write this post today. Honestly, I don't know if it's to someone else or myself as the last couple of days have been difficult. I feel like God has taught be three main lessons (well, probably more...but I'll stick to three) on our adoption journey.....

1. If God calls you to do something, DO IT! You may even have to "do it AFRAID". If it is adoption and your spouse isn't "feeling it" yet, pray. God will soften his heart. I want to be found doing "His business" when He returns. Do not let finances be a hindrance. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and there are people diligently seeking God to see where He would have them give. I was reminded again today of how important it is that we take care of orphans and widows....Psalm 82: 3-4a Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy....I am still amazed over and over and over how God confirms and directs our steps.
2. Sew as you go--Many times we would be saving for our next payment and I would feel God calling us to give to another family, buy an adoption t-shirt, sew into a ministry, Korah, flood victim, you name it....There is a joy in giving that cannot be replaced by anything else. It's cool how when we give, it really does come back. God's economy is so fascinating. It is also super how people we don't even know have helped us. It's a very humbling experience and I have not experienced anything in my life like this prior to adoption.
3. Surround yourself with supporters and cheerleaders. I am thankful for friends--both in the blog world and the tangible world who encourage us. Our agency (AGCI) has a listserv that has been so very helpful. Life is hard sometimes and you'll need people rooting you on. The car will die, the kids will fight and do things disrespectful, the cat will sneek outside to eat grass and barf for the fifth day in a row, people may look at you strange and respond totally inappropriately when you explain your adoption story, try to talk you out of it, question your sanity/happiness with the kids you've already been given, change their demeanor, people who you thought would be totally supportive or help financially will not, or they may say things like, "Doesn't that cost a lot of money?". I find myself justifying and explaining myself. I know part of it is education, but sometimes I grow weary especially if I'm dealing with a meltdown of one of my bio. kids at home.

We all really do need each other. God places different calls on all of our lives, but ultimately we do have a commission and we must be faithful to follow it.

Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

I like "The Message" version a lot.
22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

With Much Love,