Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:14
Encourage: verb - give support, confidence, or hope (to someone).
Over the years, Psalm 27 has been a source of encouragement to me as I have waited on God's perfect timing for a particular season of my life. He has reminded me time and again to not run ahead of Him, but trust in His plan. While I haven't always trusted right away as I should, His timing has always been better than my own.
It follows then that in this current season of waiting for baby, Psalm 27 once again speaks to my heart and encourages. But it occurs to me this time, that the verse doesn't simply express that we should trust God's perfect timing, but that while we wait we should also let our hearts take 'courage'. Before now, I never really focused on the courage required to wait, but I'm learning just how necessary it is.
Casey and I have been walking down this road prayerfully (along with the many prayers of family and friends, which has been a major blessing) and we are very confident that we are exactly where God wants us to be. In the five years we have been married there have been just a few times where He very clearly gave us a green light to run forward: getting married, joining the Army, and growing our family through adoption. But even in the midst of this absolute certainty that we are following and obeying, we have experienced...fear.
"What if we walk down this path and there is no baby?"
"What if we have to wait a REALLY LONG time?"
"What if we say the wrong thing that keeps a birth -momma from choosing us?"
"What if we do get matched with a first - momma quickly? Are we actually ready?"
"Will every pregnancy or adoption announcement fill us with joy for their blessings, but also sting with the reminder of our own empty arms?"
Most of these fears are unfounded, but still they seek to fill my heart and mind with anxiety while we wait. Re-enter Psalm 27:14 - "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord."
I'm grateful for God's Word in this season and the reminder to wait on the Him. It encourages me to have hope that God won't leave us waiting forever, that He will use this season for His glory. He compels me to wait with courage. When fear threatens to steal the joy I get from waiting in hope, I remind my fear that God's people have been trusting in His perfect timing for centuries over and that this faith and trust has never returned empty.
I'm still learning what waiting with courage looks like practically on a day to day basis, but here a few ways that I have turned my fear to courage:
Last week I attended one of those Wine and Design (Sip and Paint) deals and bravely painted this cute little guy for our future nursery. For not generally considering myself artistic, I'm pretty proud of it. (For my Harry Potter peeps, we named him Pigwigeon).
If you are reading this, chances are you have been, are, or will be in a season of waiting on the Lord's timing. I pray this post and Psalm 27 encourage you to wait with courage, too.
Also, if you are interested in supporting us, here are some ways you can do that:
Prayer Requests:
Over the years, Psalm 27 has been a source of encouragement to me as I have waited on God's perfect timing for a particular season of my life. He has reminded me time and again to not run ahead of Him, but trust in His plan. While I haven't always trusted right away as I should, His timing has always been better than my own.
It follows then that in this current season of waiting for baby, Psalm 27 once again speaks to my heart and encourages. But it occurs to me this time, that the verse doesn't simply express that we should trust God's perfect timing, but that while we wait we should also let our hearts take 'courage'. Before now, I never really focused on the courage required to wait, but I'm learning just how necessary it is.
Casey and I have been walking down this road prayerfully (along with the many prayers of family and friends, which has been a major blessing) and we are very confident that we are exactly where God wants us to be. In the five years we have been married there have been just a few times where He very clearly gave us a green light to run forward: getting married, joining the Army, and growing our family through adoption. But even in the midst of this absolute certainty that we are following and obeying, we have experienced...fear.
"What if we walk down this path and there is no baby?"
"What if we have to wait a REALLY LONG time?"
"What if we say the wrong thing that keeps a birth -momma from choosing us?"
"What if we do get matched with a first - momma quickly? Are we actually ready?"
"Will every pregnancy or adoption announcement fill us with joy for their blessings, but also sting with the reminder of our own empty arms?"
Most of these fears are unfounded, but still they seek to fill my heart and mind with anxiety while we wait. Re-enter Psalm 27:14 - "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord."
I'm grateful for God's Word in this season and the reminder to wait on the Him. It encourages me to have hope that God won't leave us waiting forever, that He will use this season for His glory. He compels me to wait with courage. When fear threatens to steal the joy I get from waiting in hope, I remind my fear that God's people have been trusting in His perfect timing for centuries over and that this faith and trust has never returned empty.
I'm still learning what waiting with courage looks like practically on a day to day basis, but here a few ways that I have turned my fear to courage:
- Every time a new match is announced on Quiver Full's facebook page, I offer a hearty and courageous congratulations to that family that is welcoming a wee-one home. Rejoicing in the joy of others is good for my anxious heart.
- We confess our fears to one another as well as to our friends and family. Refusing to wait in isolation combats fear and the prayers of those that support us gives us great courage.
- I've bought baby things! I've not gone overboard, but when I find something that I know I will want for our future baby for a good deal, I let myself buy it. Up until now, I have been afraid of baby items sitting unused in our house and the sadness that would bring. But I'm choosing to wait in hope and courage. So far I have a baby bouncer, a baby carrier, a car mirror that was given to us, a bottle drying rack, and a set of cloth diapers. Yay for baby things that bring hope.
And now my favorite act of courageous waiting thus far:
Last week I attended one of those Wine and Design (Sip and Paint) deals and bravely painted this cute little guy for our future nursery. For not generally considering myself artistic, I'm pretty proud of it. (For my Harry Potter peeps, we named him Pigwigeon).
If you are reading this, chances are you have been, are, or will be in a season of waiting on the Lord's timing. I pray this post and Psalm 27 encourage you to wait with courage, too.
Also, if you are interested in supporting us, here are some ways you can do that:
Prayer Requests:
- For our safety and health for our future baby and comfort and wisdom for their first momma
- Since our last post, we got approved to move into post housing. We move-in this Friday!! Please pray this goes smoothly and quickly.
- For patience and courage as we continue to wait. Every week we move at least a spot or two up on the wait-list for Quiver Full. And in the mean time we are praying that God brings us the baby that is meant for our family at the right time, whether they come through Quiver Full or not.
Financial Support:
- We are still working on raising funds to cover adoption costs. We are halfway funded for our next fee, which is the agency fees once we become active clients.
- If you would like to donate you can use the link to our YouCaring page here or we have other options such as PayPal and Venmo or personal check. Send me a message for more info.
*Fayetteville/ Fort Bragg Friends - Stay tuned for information on our up-coming Yard Sale on March 10th!
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your support and prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your support and prayers.
Blessings,
Ari
No comments:
Post a Comment