#7 & 8, possibly the final? (see two previous posts)

7. Adoption is not for the faint of heart for numerous reasons. But most of all it is not without HOPE. We serve a mighty God who knows and understands not only our needs but the needs of our (His) children. He is able to bring hope and healing and that should fill us all with Hope.

"This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail." Lamentations 3:21-22

8. When the Lord chooses you to adopt it is not blindly or on our own. The Lord walks with us and equips us for the task that He gives us. Hebrews 13: 20, 21 says ..."May the God of peace, ....equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

So, yes, sometimes there are hardships in adoption, but that does not mean that we are not called to it. Just because something isn't easy does not mean that it shouldn't be. One time a dear friend asked me what I thought my life would be like if we hadn't adopted any children. I didn't have to think very long about her question. I told her that I didn't allow myself to think about that at all. I never wanted to allow those thoughts into my heart because I know that if we had not adopted these children that we would not have been obedient to what the Lord had called us to do and that we would have missed out on a great blessing. Ken and I have grown in our marriage relationship but more than anything we have grown closer to the Lord as we have raised our family.

In conclusion I want to leave you with just a few scriptures that have encouraged me at different times:

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

Psalm 27:13

" And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

II Corinthians 9:8

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"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

I Corinthians 15:58

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(this last verse I can not think of without hearing the Donut Man)

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:13

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