Monday, June 25, 2012

All Things

One of the best parts of my adoption journey has been the connections I've made with people- from long lost friends to complete strangers.  And the interesting thing is that God has used those connections to answer prayer...many times over!

About a week ago, I received a comment on my blog from someone who had been following it for several months.  She wanted to donate to M.'s adoption and asked if she could email me.  Well, we exchanged emails and found out what an awesome God we truly have.

You see, this woman, "C" is about to be married :)  She and her fiance have a heart for orphans and they want to adopt from Ind*a.  She has spent time there in the past serving the children.  Ind*a has a 2 year marriage rule, so they still have to wait before they can start the process.  This is what I love about her- she has been scrolling the waiting children websites, praying for children, and supporting adoptive families until it can be her turn.  I can't wait until she and her new-to-be hubby start the process because I will be first in line to pay it forward!

Here's where it gets crazy :)  I posted the picture of Sweet M on the one year anniversary of me seeing her for the very first time.  Since she is not yet legally mine, I can't show her face so I put a heart over it.    C saw the picture and called her fiance into the room to confirm with him.  About a year ago, she saw M on the waiting children website.  She too, was struck by her expression and prayed that this sweet little girl would find a family.  She said there was something about M that just tugged at her heart.  Fast forward to about 4 months ago when she found my blog.  She started following it.  It wasn't until that post when I put her picture up that she saw the answer to her prayer!  And do you know how she knew it was M?  By the scar on her forehead.  This is the second time that her scar has played a major role in answered prayer.  If you remember, right before Christmas, I found out that she was in my caseworker's daughter's referral picture.

Sweet M has had a traumatic background with scars all over her body.  The one on her forehead is very distinct and obviously since it's on her face, the most noticeable.  When I first got her file, I cried and cried over what had happened to her.  It's beyond horrific.  However, through this past year I see how God truly can use ALL things for good.  And even though someone meant that for evil, God has used it for good.  He has answered prayer.  He has connected me with the right people.  He has showed me that HE LOVES HER and that he has people praying for her all over the world!  And little by little he is revealing that to me.  What once used to make me cringe has now become a symbol of the hope that we have in Jesus-  He truly can make all things new.  She is going to have a new family, a new life in the US, and a new beginning.  But most of all, she is going to have a new hope.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good." - Genesis 50:20

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God." - Romans 8:28

I would encourage you today that if you are struggling with something very difficult in your life, you may not see it yet, but God can and will use it for good.

It doesn't mean that I'm not sad about what happened to M.  If I could take those injuries and scars for her I would.  A thousand times over.  But what God does is make the good that comes out of it GREATER than the evil.  I love Jesus so much and when he does things like this, it makes me want to scream in Satan's face, "Take that sucka!!!!"

5 comments:

  1. Totally tearing up reading this. Love all of this!!! Praying for a big week for you!

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  2. Romans 8:28 is my favorite verse... I go to it constantly, because it is SO TRUE. It gets proven over and over and over.

    Praising God with you.

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  3. Oh I love it :) How super awesome!

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  4. Kristen-
    What a beautiful post! It immediately reminded me of John 20:27 (story where Jesus shows Thomas his scarred hands....) "Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; SEE MY HANDS. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” He is CERTAINLY at work.... he is sure to provide that evidence in his good time....this, my friend....was a great BIG hug from the Lord right to you...and also to her for the day to come that you will talk to her about all these things and more... that is very exciting :)
    So happy for you!
    Renae.

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  5. Kristen,
    This is so beautiful and amazing!! God is amazing. Also, congrats on all of the milestones! It is such a blessing to share this journey with you. Sending you lots of love, and Godspeed on the rest of the process!!
    Heather

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