Trust
So here’s the truth of my life these days.
I have a wonderful husband of 14+ years, a growing-up-too-soon ten year old son and a mini-me six year old daughter.
I also have a bright-eyed giggling 18 month old daughter-for-now.
I haven’t talked much about our fostering journey here on the blog, mainly because, well, clearly I don’t blog much, and also because I am not always clear on how much I am allowed to share. There is certainly a mountain of confidentiality issues and I would NEVER want to violate the children in my care or their birth or adoptive families.
But this thing I am facing now is beyond anyone else’s rights/ privileges/confidentiality. This thing is personal.
This daughter I love, this baby I have raised since her birth is going to be adopted soon.
And not by us.
(insert actual heart-heaving here)
We have agonized over this.
God, please, please, please, PPPPLLLEEEEAAASSSEEEE, let us be the ones to adopt her. Give us a sign, any sign will do. Seriously, God, how about this? If I walk outside in the rain and get wet, we can keep her. Or how about if I go to church today and we sing that song about you making the orphans, sons and daughters again, we can keep her.
Ok, so I haven’t been quite THAT ridiculous, but if that is the “I’m-being-ridiculous-line”, then you should just assume I’ve been living in a place pretty darn close to there.
The short story of the past 18 months is this…
#1 We have fallen in love with this gift of a child in our home and
#2 We did not get the answer from God that we wanted. We have not had the necessary peace within to pursue adopting her. I don’t know why. I may never know why.
And my heart feels like it is literally ripping into tiny little pieces.
Oh, peace is tricky.
And grief is tricky.
And trust in God is tricky.
And she is still here, chewing on her favorite teddy bear and wearing her sunglassess and stealing our hearts.
For now.
“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is greater.”But I say unto you, they are inseparable.Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy,”
– Kahlil Gibran, as quoted in I Will Carry You by Angie Smith
Everyday Spectacular 
Carrie I love you for so many reasons, but today it’s because of your humbleness and strong desire to do Gods will with your heart wide open and exposed – no matter how hard or scary. And He is going to bless you and your family immeasurably because of your willingness and unconditional trust in Him. I can’t even imagine how you are feeling , except for what it feels like to love a child with your whole being – I am praying for you and Jeff and love you both.
Following Him can be so scary…this is definitely a time when I am struggling to “lean not on my own understanding” and trust Him completely.
Much love,
Carrie
Oh, sweet Carrie – your pain literally comes through with every word. What a wonderful, beautiful gift you have given this little girl. She may never remember her time with you, but she will grow up with a knowing that she was loved and cared for and accepted for who she is. She will be a stronger woman because of it. I am so sorry that you are in the “why” phase of this. I haven’t responded but I love your blogs as I, too, am a pastor’s wife and can so relate to much of what you write. I love your heart.
Diane, so nice to hear from you! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment…This journey with the Lord can take us to the strangest of places. My husband and I agree that we wouldn’t change a thing, even knowing what we know now. She has changed our family only for the better and I know that we have poured into her absolutely all that we could.
Blessings!