Saturday, February 14, 2009

Learning to Wait Upon God

"And they lived happily ever after"...these are words that we all love to hear at the end of a story. There is such a tremendous let down when things don't go the way we had hoped they would go. Our family grieves along with each of you over the disappointment of Misha not being adopted into our family. Like each of you, we dreamed of a different ending. We are very sorry to have played a role in bringing about this disappointment.

There are many questions, that for the sake of discretion cannot be answered. Not addressing these questions leaves our family in a bad light. My flesh would love to defend ourselves, but I must leave it to God to make all things right. I have peace that our testimony belongs to God. If it is His choice to allow it to be tarnished then we will praise Him. God can be glorified in many ways.

Why did God allow us to raise all the money if He never intended for us to adopt Misha? Why would He allow a family who sincerely desired to help someone in need be humiliated and bruised? Why would He not show His wonderful power in this situation? For the moment, only God knows the answer to these questions. The only comfort I can offer is that our family has a perfect peace over our decisions. The struggles we have been through have only served to draw us closer as a family.

Sometimes it is very difficult to wait on God. To wait on answers to the questions we don't understand. To wait on Him in coming to our defense. To wait on seeing how all this will work together for His glory. So many times I have felt myself wanting to rush ahead of God by making things happen or taking matters into my own hands.

My passion for history has helped me see the mistakes of others who have lived before me. We Christians will say that God is in control, but when situations arise that require us to wait, our actions begin to reveal that we really don't believe this. We began rushing ahead and creating disharmony among our brothers and sisters. We can make such a mess out of something that God was just allowing time to marinate for a savory delicacy. No wonder the church is in such a mess today.

In an attempt to save something that we thought was so important to God, we might begin abusing others or lashing out in anger; to the destruction of something so much more valuable to Him. The fruits of the Spirit! It is by these fruits that the world will see that Christ is truly living in us. What are the fruits of the Spirit? Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. The opposite of walking in the Spirit is to walk in the flesh; which is simply acting upon our impulses. Romans 8:13-14 "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

I encourage each of you to learn to wait upon the Lord. God will make all things right. He never loses control nor will He put on us more than we can bear. We rejoice in knowing that one day, we all will be allowed to see, the marvelous way that God has worked all things together for our good.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

10 comments:

busymomof10 said...

Beautiful post, Melissa! Your response to your hardships, disappointments, and suffering is certainly an inspiration to all of us. God's grace is so evident in your lives! May God continue to uphold and strengthen your family and draw you closer together! Whatever happens, don't let the enemy drive a wedge between you all!!! I love you!! ~Elizabeth

Laurel said...

Because you have acted with such honesty and integrity, you can certainly hold your head up high. Nothing to be embarrassed about.

We are praying for each one of you.


Laurel :)

Tami said...

You have done a great job through out! I am encouraged by your actions in any challenges coming my way. Can't wait to see the bright light God will bring. . . .

Jacque said...

Please try hard to not take Misha's comments too personally. I know it's difficult! He is just hurting. He so desperately wants to be loved unconditionally. He does not feel worthy of that love, so he is proving his point by lashing out against you all.
The move to the new family will be benefiical to him. It sounds like they have experience in dealing with difficult children.
In time, he will learn to follow rules, to love and be loved. Being a non-christian, he is a slave to his sin. He has little choice, but to act in such a way.
Let's all be faithful to pray for him and his new family. He has a long road ahead of him, but God is faithful. We know that He can heal him of his past and give him a future.
Blessings,
Jacque

Kari said...

We are praying fervently for Misha. We will also pray for God's healing for your family, as well.
What a difficult & challenging journey for *everyone* involved!!
I pray that the "owies" in Misha's heart can be healed by the Great Healer.

Words of encouragement for Misha...
**God was pleased to make you His own.
Pleased!!
He didn't just feel sorry for you. He wasn't obligated to you. He chose you because He delights in you. You were never meant to get through life by the skin of your teeth. You were meant to flourish in the love and acceptance of Almighty Jehovah. When He sings over you, dance.**
(Beth Moore)

Your family is covered in prayer!!

noahandlylasmommi said...

I am praying for your family.

Laurel said...

I wrote a post today, asking for prayer for 4 special friends. Your name was on the list (with a link to your blog).

Wanted you to know that more people are praying for you tonight. (I had over 170 blog "hits" today, so people have definitely read the post.)

Hugs!!!

Laurel :)

Jennifer said...

I am the sister of two adopted siblings from Russia, and while I don't know you, I know what you are talking about. My sisters were 15 and 10 when adopted... Not all went perfectly, but my parents (and all of us) knew we had done His will.
How good that His will is not our will, and how He is glorified by your obedience.
I will continue to pray for you...and for the Lord's will in Misha's life.
Thank you for sharing this journey.

denie heppner said...

melissa, i just came across this blog today...is that a picture of misha at the top of your page? if it is, his facial features look like FAS or FEA. did Misha have either? If so, so much more explanation.

busymomof10 said...

Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that you are Loved! You are such an incredible, gracious, talented, warm, loving person! I know you are probably beating yourself up right now. Please don't Melissa! You did all you could for Misha . . . God is in control! Please don't let satan take any ground in your life or your family's life through all of this!! Love you my dear sister,
Elizabeth