His fingerprints are evident ...

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 your persistence mixed with faith. I am working endlessly on your behalf. Co-labor with me, daughter.  Keep the faith and rest in my strategies. Your family story isn’t finished yet, but it’s unfolding. Remember I AM who I say I am.  I will never fail you. I am right on time; never early and never late." - Love, Your Abba Daddy

I also believe that the Lord dispatches teams of angels to secure calls, appointments and connections for his followers. Divine appointments are hand-selected events orchestrated and ordained by our heavenly Father. The Lord can call for the assistance of heavenly beings or humans to help carry out any of his agendas. Look how Gabriel was called upon to announce the birth of John the Baptist and later the Christ child. Michael, the warrior archangel, is the prince who protected young people in Daniel 12. Michael was an angel assigned to Daniel and the people of God. He will also lead a multitude of angels in a triumphant war against Satan and his demons in the last days (Revelation 12). 

I have no doubt that a team of angels were on special assignment the day our daughter was born, December 2, 2022. They guided her safe delivery, connected us to Perri and Doris, her precious birth parents, and summoned our specific adoption agency. There is no way any of these adoption details I share just happened by coincidence surrounding the arrival of Brookley Patience. Too many intricate details had to be coordinated and carefully carried out to connect us to this particular child.

 

Here are just some of the specifics surrounding our daughter’s adoption: 

- Two young expectant moms showed interested in partnering with us for adoption and then moved other directions. Marcus said aloud, “God usually moves in groups of three. I believe he will do this for us the third time. The next call out of the blue will probably be the one.” And it most certainly was. 

- Our tiny, local adoption agency, Jewish Family Services, shared in 2020 that they rarely ever see birth parents looking to choose adoption for their babies or children that need homes. They specialize in home studies and counseling. Our social workers emphasized that we would need to find the birth parent and baby on our own and we should not count on them. (But God chose this humble agency to take on this adoption case.)

-  No one can explain to us how the hospital reached our particular adoption agency when there were over a dozen to contact.  (Plus, neither the birth parents nor adoptive parents were Jewish.  We both expressed Chrisitan faith.)  One nurse shared that agencies are called on a rotating alphabetical basis, which most likely led them to letter J - Jewish Family Services that particular morning.  What are the chances?  We believe an angelic being was present and helpful in highlighting our agency name and number that day in order to connect us.

 - The day this life changing call came, we simply and obediently went to work. We chose to trust our Good Father and "be still" or "occupy" with the work asked of us. This let the God of angel armies carry out his plan to bring "Patience" to us. It was tempting to want to take work off to make connections, post messages on FB, create new videos, and email out updates. But we were being led by the same God of the Old Testament who told King Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 2:20) "You will not have to fight this battle! Take up your positions and stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you!" All we had to do was stand in faith and let the Lord move on our behalf. 

 - Jennifer received the first call about “Patience” in a voicemail from our agency on a Friday afternoon, which is remarkable. 8 times out of 10 she misses calls and her phone delays the message or she ignores her voicemail and saves them for days later because teaching takes so much out of her. The Lord impressed on her heart the importance of checking her phone messages that particular Friday, December 2nd. It was clearly a nudge from above because the adoption call was time sensitive. 

 - Of all the baby names to choose from, Brookley’s birth mother chose the name “Patience” for her little one. It was the perfect virtue to match our adoption story! Hearing this name was like a nod from God above. He knew we needed to hear it and be reminded of the endurance more than anyone else. We had to keep it, but we also had to add our own personal touch as we grafted her into our family. 

 - We were drawn to the unique name Brookley as a first name for our daughter because of the living waters and refreshment it represented. Our daughter's birth parents gave us permission to adjust her name in any way that was meaningful to us. And yes, there is a Brookley Road that we occasionally drive by in Glen Allen, Virginia. This little side lane at the intersection of Mountain Road popped onto my radar after Britta passed. I remember saying, “That could be a beautiful little girl’s name one day if you bless us again, Lord.” I added the name to our ongoing list in faith and look what God did.

 

-  This little one was an answer to all of our prayer requests. We had specifically prayed for a healthy, Caucasian baby girl who reminded us of Britta Faith, our daughter who was stillborn in March of 2015. Trace prayed these specifics with us and when he met “Patience” that first day he said, “She looks just like us and just what I prayed for!” 

 - Jen was concerned that her 3rd grade class at Veritas School might need multiple subs to carry them through the lengthy adoption process. She began to pray for 1-2 reliable substitutes committed to her crew. But God was steps ahead ... He chose a dear friend and faithful Veritas parent who had already subbed for her crew. Not only was this sub (named Jen) acquainted with her class, but she was willing to substitute during the "at risk" period and then also take on the long-term sub position. Her third graders were in wonderful hands with a familiar face. Jen was amazed at God's provision at school while she transitioned into a maternity leave. 

 - We learned that one of the maternity ward nurses was Anna, a teaching friend’s daughter. She relayed to her mom, Alison, that a sweet baby girl was to be placed for adoption. Alison immediately thought of us and prayed for the connection to be made. Anna soon shared that a loving family has already been chosen. She recalled that they even had an older boy who was excited. Alison was initially discouraged but then glad that the baby had a new home. Days later it was evident that we (the Gillettes) were the family chosen to adopt Patience! Alison’s prayers had come true! 

 - Our agency and attorney prepared us to be ready to leave work, fly across the country and wait in a hotel for the adoption placement to occur. We were thinking might be called to any of the 50 states at a last minute’s notice. But God, in his graciousness, aligned the adoption to take place in the same local hospital Trace was born in – St. Mary’s! He spared us from an expensive trip and lodging. What a gift! 

 - Back in 2016, after the passing of our second daughter, Marcus gave me time to mourn but then asked me to pack up most of our baby gifts and give them away. (I held back a tote of my favorite blankets, toys and clothes as faith reminders, but I knew he was right. Why hold tight to material items that would benefit another?) We were seeing a grief counselor who knew of other young moms in need of diapers, books, a crib and other items. The day I finally agreed to “let go” and trust God Marcus said, “Trust me … the Lord will return everything and more to us when it’s our turn to care for a new little one. Just watch. You’ll see everything circle back to us in His time if we are brave enough to let go.” Today I thank the Lord that He made me brave and helped me hold loosely to those treasures. We are so blessed to see the diapers, formula, clothes and more replenished on our shelves for Brookley! 

 - Brookley's name reminds us of streams and brooks of living water that flow through parched desert land in Isaiah 35 and 44. Brookley came after a long dry season of waiting patiently on the Lord and His timing. Her name also reminds us of our first daughter, Britta Faith, but is still unique and set apart. Today it brings me JOY that Brookley is using Britta’s toys, blanket and newborn clothes.

Listen to all the action verbs we are invited to participate in one lesson Jesus was teaching and Matthew recorded: ASK, SEEK and KNOCK. Don’t just sit there and worry, wish the day away or hope for change. Move toward the Master’s door and believe in FAITH it will be unlatched and opened to you. He knows the voice and knock of his children. 

  Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and the one who knocks it will be opened.” 

Remember, our hearts have to be in right place before God when approaching him with requests.  He asks for a humble and repentant posture from his children. But don't miss ... Our Good and Gracious Father delights in hearing our cries and fulfilling our hearts’ desires.  Why?  Because we are his sons and daughters, and He is the Good Gift Giver! Are you running to Him daily and laying your heart before Him? Are you proclaiming his truths and declaring his promises? Finally, don’t forget to praise Him in the waiting and ask for contentment. I learned that praise is as important as persistent petitioning and steadfast faith. And on the days when things grow gloomy and your faith sinks low, remember the words of the New Testament father who desired to see his son healed and free: “I believe, but help my unbelief!”

Let's boldly approach the doors before us and knock in anticipation whether we are waiting for adoption, healing, freedom from a stronghold or the return of a prodigal son. Let's not miss an opportunity to connect with the Gatekeeper and abundant Gift-giver! He has SO much more to offer us than we could ever ask for or imagine if we would just draw near to Him personally and humbly. He desires to flood us with JOY, PEACE, and increased FAITH in the process. 

John 16:24 "Until now you have asked nothing in my name. ASK, and you will receive, that your JOY may be full." 

*Want to help us finalize Brookley Patience's adoption story? Although we have met our initial fundraising goal, there are additional expenses and attorney fees we had not anticipated. Please consider partnering with us at www.adopttogether.org (Search Gillette family). 

Visit www.godsfingerprints.com for the beautiful artwork that inspired me to write about God's personal touch on this blog post.