Redemption

Life is happening at warp-speed around here. Many people have asked, "Is the wait more difficult now that you know who you're waiting for?" Everyone is different, but for me the worst part of the wait (so far) was the unpredictable period of time in which we were just asking God to use us. It's difficult to respond to God's call on your life only to be met with waiting. Now that we see Rhet's face everywhere we go (literally--her pic is posted all over our house, in frames, on the fridge, on the nightstand, on the desk, on our phones...!), it gives us the opportunity to pray for her specifically, to daydream about her specifically, to know that one day not too far into the future, she will be toddling around our house with that bright smile on her face that lingers on the back of our eyelids.

So, in a way, it is easier. All of the paperwork, all of the waiting, all of the praying....was for her! A few more months, while it is tough knowing she's keeps reaching new milestones without us, is NOTHING to me compared to that long, unpredictable stretch of 11 months between our DTE ("dossier to Ethiopia" date) and our referral. Because of the type of adoption we were pursuing, we expected a very short wait...after about a month we were told about 1-5 more months of waiting could be expected...and we didn't get that precious call until 5 months after the first 5 months!

About a month ago, I wrote about Psalm 130:7 and the hope that it brought me:

"Put your hope in the Lord,

for with the Lord is unfailing love,

and with him is full redemption."

I rejoice in that verse. While we plan to keep Rhet's birth story private (personal details for her to share with others later if she chooses), I can tell you that all of those months we waited and the events that were unfolding in our life and in hers...God has fully redeemed them. I personally don't believe He was making events happen, but I do believe He was actively at work bringing redemption and healing to a broken situation. I am so thankful for the way He weaves stories together...

He bestows on us a crown of beauty instead of ashes...

the oil of joy instead of mourning...

a garment of praise instead of despair...

We are "oaks of righteousness," and he has planted us to be a "display of his splendor."

(Isaiah 61)

Ashes, mourning, despair are all too present in this world and in our lives. I am so thankful for the Lord's full redemption that brings beauty, joy, and praise in the aftermath.

If you have some time, visit my buddy Tesney's blog today and spend a moment rejoicing in the beauty, joy, and praise in her family today. Their long journey to adopt a child with Downs Syndrome from Russia has been filled with opposition and heartache as they most recently waited for a judge to change her mind and decide that they had pure motives for their desire to adopt a child with DS and that the child deserved a loving family. Today, God has wrapped Tesney in a garment of praise and His splendor is on display in a big way.

Adoption is mourning, grief, and despair. But it is also redemption, joy, and beauty. It is both, and that is enough to break a heart wide open. He can make all things new.

"I delight greatly in the Lord;

my soul rejoices in my God...

For as the soul makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness

and praise spring up before all nations."

(More Isaiah 61)