In The Meantime. . .

Emily needs to get to her college, Megan needs to be evaluated in order to graduate, Eliot is 4 and is challenging boundary lines.  Hey honey, there you are!  What's your name again?  Preparing to adopt a child into the already existing family presents more challenges than just the new child; what about the life that continues to go on during the process?

A Praying Life written by Paul Miller addresses this very thing.  He says that we can develop a quiet heart before our Father in the midst of a busy schedule.  This couldn't have come at a more timely point in our journey.  Thom and I have been married for 21 years and love being so.  We are best friends and lovers.  However, our marriage relationship often shows our spiritual condition.  The "hit and run" moments of closeness with God only to ask about one thing or another for Peter and then rushing out to do a fund raiser as well as getting everyone where they need to be.  Dave Harvey, the author of When Sinners Say I do, spoke at a marriage conference a few years back, we had the privilege to be there.  He was talking about the danger of becoming walking daytimers!  Discussing the kids schedules, the "what has to be done", without connecting on a more intimate level spiritually.  Located!

Thom and I can find ourselves here even without an adoption process going on.  Last Sunday night at our leader's Care group we were asked to give an update on where we were at in bringing Peter home.  We shared an update but asked for prayer.  Life is so busy and yet Peter isn't even here, what will it be like when he does arrive?  Our dear brother and Pastor, along with all our other dear friends stopped and prayed for us right then and there, and I know that they are praying even now for my husband and I to re-prioritize our schedules.  God in His kindness keeps bringing us back to what is most important and we are grateful for brothers and sisters that will pray for that to happen.

We have gone through so many of these seasons, and as we get older we have been looking for more creative times and ways to connect deeply.  God has been faithful, through Thom's thoughtful leadership, to show us how we have slipped off the path by lighting the true way with His word, faithful friends and the Holy Spirit's guidance.  He is teaching us how to continue to cultivate intimacy with Him and each other in the midst of busy seasons.  I am so grateful.

We finished a Yard sale fund raiser today.  We went to bed at midnight last night, woke up at five this morning and God was there to meet with us.  We did our devotions and held hands and prayed for God's strength, help and blessing.  We caught up with each other and connected all throughout the day.  Thank you God. 

Thank you God for showing us that in our weakness we can do all things through your strength.  Thank you for the countless prayers lifted up on our behalf!  These prayers and your presence were so tangible.

So, the busyness is still here.  Right after the yard sale, Emily's classmate arrived to do work on a joint project for class, Megan had to practice for the worship team for Sunday, Eliot was so tired and needed his Mama, Thom had to go out and get some supplies for home, I had to prepare the dinner meal.  But we have had delicious fellowship with one another, with our kids, with our church community and our neighbors and with our Heavenly Father.

Peter will bring even more joyful busyness into our lives.  We look forward to it.  God's grace will be sufficient then as it is now.  And we know that God will continue to teach us how to love Him best in all seasons. . .And we know that He will deepen our love for each other as well.  We are His sheep, we know His voice, we are at peace.