God showed me once again today, through studying His Word, that there is a purpose for everything in my life and the life of our family and to rejoice in that, no matter what the circumstances because HE IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." (Philippians 4:4)
"But now, O Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, and you are our potter, we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8)
Charles Stanley writes, in 30 Life Principles, that "Nothing that happens to you is ever meaningless or useless...God has a very important purpose for refining you, which is to conform you to the image of His Son and glorify Himself through you. The more jolting the hardship, the greater the ministry which God is preparing for you. The deeper the cut, the more profoundly God will use you to do His work in the world if you will trust and obey Him."
Waking up with the attitude every monring that I want, yes want God to refine me daily in order for me to be conformed to the image of His Son so that Christ may be glorified through me, I'll admit, some days isn't always easy. I can't say that waiting week after week is an easy task, but if it means that we are 'smack-dab' (did I say that right?) in God's will, then bring it on!!! I will wait, but I will still cry out!
"Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch." (Psalm 5:1-3)
And I know that He hears my cry and His will, will always prevail!
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry." (Psalm 40:1)
As we continue to wait, and tomorrow brings a new possibility of answers and a step further to bringing home our child/children we rejoice in waiting because we rejoice in being refined!
Thank you for walking through this refining process with us (otherwise known as adoption). May God always receive ALL THE GLORY through this adoption!
-Ashley
