A friend of mine just sent this to me. She came across it in her devotional today. Her name is Holly and she and her family are in the process of adopting their daughter from El Salvador. After you read this, go check out her blog. She always has great insight on things and has been used by God to speak to me. Thanks, Holly!
It’s based on 2 Kings 4:8 and it’s entitled “Don’t Give Up!”
The Bible speaks of a “great woman” who lived in Shunem. God gave her a son when she couldn’t have one. Then suddenly in his twenties he dies. So she picks him up, puts him on a horse and carries him back to Elisha, whom God has used to announce his birth in the first place. Imagine what her neighbors must have thought as she passed by. “It’s over, bury him!” But not her. She refused to stop and get the opinions of faithless people, or discuss her situation with those who were unqualified to help. Be careful who you open up to in a crisis! Make sure they know God and that their words line up with His. The warranty hasn’t expired on the promises God gave you. This woman believed that if God started it, He could finish it. If He made it, He could fix it.
And how does her story end? Elisha stretched his body out on top of the dead boy’s body and his corpse gets warm. Now that’s good, but this lad needs more than just warmth- he needs new life. So Elisha stretches out on top of him again. This time the boy sneezes 7 times and comes to life. What’s the lesson here for you? No matter how bad things look- stay on top of the situation! Keep believing in God! Walk the floor and pray all night if you have to, but don’t give up. Keep standing on the Word. Your dream may not be fully alive yet, but it’s getting warm. Things are improving. God is moving. Your answer is on the way- don’t give up until it arrives!
I will leave you with another verse she and her husband reminded me of:
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
For all of us waiting for our babies and even for those of you that are waiting for something else to come about in your lives, this is a verse we should cling to daily. I still have no news, but I will take God at His word that He will do this for our family. Will you?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
It's so nice for me to have found this blog of yours, it's so interesting. I sure hope and wish that you take courage enough to pay me a visit in my PALAVROSSAVRVS REX!, and plus get some surprise. My blog is also so cool!
Feel free off course to comment as you wish and remember: don't take it wrong, don't think that this visitation I make is a matter of more audiences for my own blogg. No. It's a matter of making universal, realy universal, all this question of bloggs, all the essential causes that bring us all together.
I think it's to UNITE MANKIND that we became bloggers! Don't see language as an obstacle. That's not the point. Pictures talk also. Open your heart and come along!!!!!
What a great devotional! Even when things aren't going like you hoped in your adoption you still post such uplifting things and encourage the rest of us as we wait. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing that great devotional. I don't think I ever heard that story before. I am praying for you!
Babycakes, like I told you the other day, YOU ARE NOT ALONE - He is with you in this storm. And I LOVE the analogy that He is just warming up the dream. I am seeing a BIG finish, girl! I mean it - there is going to be a big, glorious finish to this storm!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
But you know I'm here for you whether you're up, down, sideways - whatever! :-) :-) :-) :-)
Amanda...another good word for anyone waiting on anything. I agree that there is going to be a BIG finish to this wait and the Lord is going to use your family in ways you can't even imagine. You are a blessing to me and I am praying for a BIG finish SOON!
Amanda,
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and for sharing so beautifully from His Word. Yes, He is not finished with us yet! This journey is far from over...at the end of this wait, we will have sweet children to train up in His Love and Grace. Father, thank you for being so BIG and MYSTERIOUS! We love you!
Hugs,
Kristin
Keep hanging on, she is coming!!!
I read Steph's post. I just wanted you to know I am praying for your family.
Thank you so much for your sweet words and prayers. We will also be praying for your sweet little Bella Claire to come home soon. Our little boy was six when we brought Mia home and he also had prayed for her for a very long time. I believe it has made him the best brother for it. I am sure your two little ones will have a special bond too. :)
-April
Hi Amanda,
I know you don't know me, but I've read Steph's blog forever and she has called us here to pray for you.
Heavenly Father,
Praying tonight for Amanda and her family. Lord, we won't even pretend to understand the "whys" of situations like this, but we rest in knowing that you care deeply and that you catch every tear we cry. Help them Lord as they struggle to say, "not our will, but yours". Sometimes it's so hard to say that Father, but know that even in this darkness, they seek You and they bring You glory.
Lord, be with baby Bella in Guatemala. Keep her safe and well-loved while she waits for her mama and daddy. Give Your Angels wings to bring that sweet baby a kiss from America. Let her know, even in her tiny heart, that she is so loved by this family and they miss her every single day.
Lord, hold this family tightly tonight. Wrap arms of caring friends around them and fill them with Your peace. Walk them through this valley Lord until to you bring them out into the sunshine again. Cover them.
In Your precious name I pray.
Amen
Post a Comment