Boy, do I love a good checklist! The laundry can be checked off, the errands are done, and hopefully by the end of the day, I will have checked off writing a blog update! Feelings of such accomplishment and joy.
So for the question you all have been asking... what is the adoption update? Where are we at on the "To Do" list? Good, fair question, but I am not too sure the answer. From my perspective, the checklist is completed. Or is it? The paperwork is done here. The translation is completed. It now is in Legalization sitting on someone else's checklist. However, God has recently laid on my heart again a "checklist" that I began this journey with, but I have laid aside. Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience"... And the list comes to a screeching halt at patience. I have realized that I know very little about Patience. So the last few months I have been researching, studying, and trying to grasp a better understanding of Patience.
1. The first thing that smacked me in the face was I had to take it off the "To Do" list! It can never be checked off the list. I can never "do" it. It will never happen on my timeline- hence, the very need for patience.
2. Patience often does not increased by prayer. I can pray for my heart to change and learn to love on my children more, show kindness to a neighbor, or be gentle to a broken, hurting soul. These are actions and fruits within me. I am careful not to pray for unexpected situations or trials just so my patience will be strengthened.
3. Patience is a fruit that will increase through testing. I must accept the experience and learn to "wait well." I struggle to wait only because my mind begins to create solutions in how to fix things, manipulate situations, and even change people. The adoption process has blatantly revealed me doing all of these things. Joyce Meyers' Life Teaching Tool said, "Frustration is trying to make something happen that only God can do." It becomes a choice of becoming constantly frustrated or obedient in the testing and maturing of patience.
So how do I "wait well?" I believe God himself is Patient. He waits as I sin and fall short everyday. He patiently picks me up, dusts me off, and patiently waits- again. I believe God is waiting for His people to return to Him. Many bad things are happening in this world because of our free-will and choices, but God still patiently waits. How does He wait? He waits while always being present. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:16-18
As I am being refined in this process, my prayer is to be present while my patience is tested. May I find joy in today and stop planning out tomorrow. May I learn to focus on the present and not become frustrated in my lack of control of the future. May I depend on my Ever-Present Advocate and bear the fruit of Patience.
So what is the adoption update? Be patient.
God still has a lot of work to do IN me and THROUGH me. But rest assured- God is still ever-present and working for the good of those who love him, and who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
