My Thoughts Exactly

I found this poem posted on a blog. These exact thoughts have been on my mind. All the reasons not to adopt - not to do whatever God calls us to do... Thankfully, God is helping me take these thoughts captive to the obedience to Christ. It is a battle to choose to surrender and say, "Yes, Lord..."

Excuses

I've had my share of excuses in the past....
Too busy
Not enough money
Not enough time
Too young
Too old
Can't afford it
Already have 4 children
Not sure if it's God's will
Not sure
Can't afford it
What will others say?
What will others think?
People will think we are crazy
What if they are right?
Can't afford it.
What if it's hard on our other kids?
It's not the right time
Not sure if I would be good at it.
House is too small.
Can't afford it.
Not sure if I want to start all over again.
What would we drive?
What if it's to much work?
What if it's too hard?
Can't afford it.
Yet for every excuse God has the answer-
Him.
It's all about Him- period.
He must increase,
but I must decrease.
John 3:30
We limit God with our excuses.
We limit God with our fears.
We limit God by putting Him inside a box-
A box we have designed on our own.
But by doing this we are actually robbing ourselves-
robbing ourselves of the blessings.
Robbing ourselves of true joy
Robbing ourselves of truly living.
Because you see when we take 'us' out of the picture
Our worries,
Our fears,
Our excuses,
And we put God in the center of our lives
The possibilities are endless.
He has the way...
He IS the way...
And all you have to do is
stop making excuses and take that first step.
Stop listening to the world.
Stop being afraid of the what ifs-
And listen to the one who knows.
The one who has the answers.
The one who really matters.
The truth is
we don't have to be perfect
because He is.
We don't have to have all of the answers
because He already does.
We don't have to know how
because He will show us.
Each day you wait
is a day that they wait too...
The cost of your excuse is a lot higher than the cost of an adoption
because look at what it's costing them.
Stop making excuses.
They are waiting
And so is He...
To show you the way.

Found on : http://www.buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/

God's churning up our hearts for so much right now. We are moving forward with adoption completely trusting God. No, it doesn't make sense. No, we can't afford it. Yes, our house is small. Yes, it feels overwhelming. No, I have no other answer than "YES!" Yes, we will do whatever he desires of us, trusting him with the uncertainties.

God's placing other questions in front of us as well. Please pray for us as we seek His Will for our family. Pray for us to know the way.

Finally, if you are living life with the false belief that everything is as wonderful as we experience it here in America, please take 10 minutes to watch this short video. It's a dose of perspective. You need to watch it until the end, but know you will not be the same after viewing.

Sam and Esther

(I just found out there is a follow-up to this video also. I haven't seen it, but plan to.)

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Isaiah 58:6-8

For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Revelation 3:17

Praising my Savior for rescuing me when I was wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Thank you, Jesus.