Grafted In Together

There is no denying that God’s fingerprints have been all over the adoption story of our daughter, Brookley Patience. I keep learning of specific examples where the Lord showed up and came through for us with a connection or an open door when we were unaware. Yet all along the winding journey, He was faithfully directing the steps toward our connection. Yes, our Good Father was constantly at work behind the scenes, aligning every detail into place so two Richmond birth parents would select a particular family of three to graft their little one into a new family tree. Psalm 116:2 "Because He inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. " I have to pause and wonder, what do God’s fingerprints look like? And what do they say to me personally if I could read the words between the lines? Words like these come to mind as I envision the words impressed from His fingertips:  "I have heard your petitions and pleas, daughter. I have seen y

Two years ago we decorated this Christmas ornament in honor of the "adopted child-to-be" that we would one day meet. We hung it as a FAITH ornament – in full assurance that our prayer request would be answered in time. And here, this December, we hang the ornament with JOY and GLADNESS as a testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness and compassion. Our prayers for a healthy baby girl to join our family have been answered! What a trustworthy God we have who knows the deepest desires of our hearts. We have just chosen the name Brookley Patience Gillette for our baby girl. Isaiah chapter 35 illustrates a beautiful picture of streams (or gentle brooks) of living water flowing through the desert wasteland. This passage speaks volumes to us as we have needed the Lord to redeem our JOY and bring REFRESHMENT after enduring years of parched land. Only a faithful Father could restore to us what was lost and redeem what was dry. “The desert and the parched land will be glad;

Have you made time recently to sit and observe the autumn breeze that blows through the yard and down the road? Look at how the leaves swirl and soar into flight. They defy gravity as they rise and rotate, acting as though supported by an invisible force. They move as if pushed by a heavenly breath . The Lord is on the move much like the wind we witness swirling through the branches and grass. He is circling with careful intention, sweeping through our lives, and stirring hearts like never before. The Father did this back in the ancient days and He is still on the move carrying out his transformative work today too. In the book of John chapter 3, Jesus teaches Nicodemus about the Kingdom of God and the importance of being born again … born of both water and spirit. He then makes a connection to the wind in verse 8: “ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spi

  From broken glass to smooth stone ... He is making all things news! We’ve each seen the difference.   We’ve encountered the sharp, broken bottle glass on the beach that cuts the skin.   It pierces like a knife and causes us to cringe and shriek out in pain.   But what happens when this rough material goes through a refining process and endures the churning of ocean waves?   Yes … the razor-edged material smooths out to become a precious sea glass .   These naturally weathered pieces of glass are treasures and keepsakes to beach combers.   The rounded glass resembles a tumbled stone or colorful mineral … something far more pleasurable, mild, and blunt to touch. Genuine sea glass is the result of gradual tumbling and rolling in the ocean for years upon years.  Imagine the constant pounding and swirling of the waves eventually rounding off the edges of broken bottles or ship wreckage. Even the slick, clear face of the glass wears down until a frosted appearance covers the surface. The c

Psalm 26:1b " I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. " As summer kicks off, scenes of thrill and excitement like these come to mind.  Who doesn’t love a wild coaster ride on a sunny afternoon or at the peak of sunset?   I’m sure your family will enjoy making memories at an amusement park or take on some other breath-taking adventure like zip-lining or rock jumping.   A dear friend helped me see that the adoption journey is much like a roller coaster ride with its twists, turns and loops.   Now imagine this trek zooming backwards in the dark.   Yep, that image pretty much sums up the course we’ve embarked upon when signing up to adopt a child.   It requires us to step in the car with faith, buckle up, brace ourselves, and hold tight, because the commander of the ride can change directions, speed up or slow down at any point.   We ride by faith and give up almost all control.   (Jumping ship is not recommended.)   I love that Paul uses the phrase “hold fast” several t

  Psalm 37:23     The steps of a man are established by the  Lord ,      when he delights in his way; The very footprints of God’s children are ordered; they are both directed and established by the Author of Life.   And here is the best news: he not only delights in this journey with us, but He also desires to bless it!   What a promise to hold onto when rough waters arise. I can walk forward in confidence today because I know my Abba Father , and I know his heart.    He is trustworthy and FOR me in the waiting and uncertainty of tomorrow. He walks before me in this adoption journey and goes ahead of me in the unknown territory ahead. Jamie Grace sings a song titled: “ You Lead, I Follow ” and her upbeat words are edifying.  Her chorus repeats, " You lead , I’ll follow; Your hands hold my tomorrow.   So lead me on  …"   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esfjyr59qYo A friend recently shared that a delay or unanswered prayer does not mean God has abandoned us; it means He