Reflections

We are about to exit Lent and enter the time of the Triduum (Latin for “three days”, Thursday evening to Sunday evening), when Christians celebrate the Paschal Mystery—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This Lent has been very challenging for me. It is usually a time I spend in deep reflection and prayer. A time of quiet and stillness with the Lord. And although I have, it's not been like any other Lent for me, since I began my walk with Christ.

Scott worked late last night and I had put the kids to bed a bit earlier, since it had been a long day. I started reading my favorite blogs and then, as usually happens, I moved onto other blogs that I had never visited. One blog struck me in particular. Even this morning, my heart is heavy with the words this woman shared with the world. The more I thought about it, the more I thought how opportune a time for me to come across something like this.

I no longer have the blog address, but I do have her words etched in my mind. Maybe because I heard those words so often while we were in the 4 processes of our adoptions. She mentioned something about a family being turned down for an adoption from an international country because the foreign government found out they were fundraising to bring the child home. Ironically, it was the day after I posted about William's adoption and his family desperately needing help. She agreed with the government that families should not publicly fundraise to bring a child home and if they didn't have the money, they shouldn't be adopting. In her defense, she did state that they should ask family to help, if needed.

Wow! That truly hit a nerve. (This is the point where I ask you to please take a step back so that I can hop on the soapbox.)

We lost mucho dollars in our failed adoption, and then ontop of that, we immediately adopted 3 children in less than 2 years.

Do you think that when we started any of those adoptions we had the money for it? If so, can you hear me laughing? That was always one of Scott's biggest worries. Mine too. But, we had something very powerful on our side. We knew that if it was God's will, the money would appear. It did. Every time. Fortunately, I did not have to fundraise, but thousands of families do, and praise God they do! Because children are united with their forever families everyday, from all over the world, because of people helping people. That is what we are called to do.

I don't have any idea what this woman's stance is on Christ, but I do know that it is God's heart in each and every person that reaches into their pocket and donates to help bring a child home.

I was once told by someone that she didn't donate to people she didn't know, because it was probably a scam. I thought about that, and yes, there are scams and people out there who intentionally dwell among the kindness of others to make a fast buck, but I choose to be believe that there are a lot of more good people out there. I also choose to believe that I am doing good by helping someone, when I can, and it's not my place to judge if I am being scammed. That person will have their day.

Back to our own adoptions. It was really tough for us keeping a firm grip on our faith that the funds would appear so that we could be united with our children. Yes, it was scary at times. But we had faith. Faith is what leads my life. Walking in His steps without knowing where we are going. Our Lord is our guide. Yes, it's hard not to question the what ifs. But, that's what God wants from us. To walk blindly and lean on Him for all things. I don't think we'd be able to function in this world, with all of it's chaotic diversions surrounding us, without Christ as our foundation.

I really want to say to anyone out there wanting to bring home a child and you don't have the funds....Pray. Pray hard. If the Lord speaks to your heart that a child awaits your family, move forward. He will provide. Whether through public fundrasiing, loans, friends, family or the money falling from Heaven as the manna did to the Israelites, He will provide if that is His will. (Stepping off the soapbox now.)

As we approach Easter Sunday, I reflect on my own life and where I stand with Christ. I believe that He has called me to be a witness and share with others the miracles works he has bestowed upon my children, my family and my life. I believe that there is nothing I could do to earn my way into Heaven. Why? Because although I try hard to be obedient to Him, to be kind to others and do as is expected of me as a Christian, I am a sinner. I always have been. I always will be. Yet, even with all of my shortcomings, I firmly believe that Father God, the head of the Trinity, gave His only begotten Son for me to have eternal life. (John 3:16) Wow! Is that the most amazing love or what? Are we worthy of that love? No. But, does He loves us just the same, unconditionally and never changing? Absolutely!

Jesus willingly accepted those nails to be hammered into his hands and his feet. He willingly was humiliated, spat on, tortured and ridiculed. He did this for me, for you, for all of us. So that we may have eternal life. There is no sacrifice in the world that we can do for a loved one that could ever compare to the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.

My Easter wishes these next three days, as we lead to the celebration of Christ rising from the dead, is that you believe with all your heart "That if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." - Roman 9:10.

Don't be afraid to give Him your all, He certainly gave us His.

Happy Easter and God bless you.