Last week I spent a long time on the phone encouraging a friend and soon-to-be adoptive mama.
I’ve been in her shoes. I know how it feels to get devastating news from the country God has called you to adopt from. Messy red tape that keeps children from Forever Families.
I’ve watched friends and other families jump ship when it gets hard and choose to adopt from another place. I felt the sting of jealousy knowing my friends would probably bring their children home before me.
I’ve felt the emotions that are swirling inside my friend. Others are going different directions, yet God is telling her to stay put. The words still ring in my ears – words I know she’s already heard. They come from friends who have good intentions, but question her choice.
“Why would you stay when there are so many kids in America who need families?”
She stays for the same reason Noah built an ark as people mocked him. Rain was nowhere in sight.
She stays for the same reason Moses followed when God said go. Yet, he had no idea where that would lead.
She stays because God says stay.
She doesn’t understand completely, but God doesn’t need her to. He only needs her to have faith. To believe He will work all things out for good.
We cried together. She’s confused. She yearns for her daughter. I remind her that God will make her path straight.
Somewhere deep within, with as much gusto as I can muster, I share a piece of hope that carried me through my days of uncertainty.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)
But for today, she will stay. Her feet planted firmly on faith.