I Knew

As we began exploring the possibility of adoption, I approached it as I do most things, with one toe in the water.  I was not sure...would this be best for our family?  Was I prepared for the special challenges that come with raising an adopted child? How in the world would we pay for it?  I was definitely afraid of the many unknowns.

Last spring, we had a church women's retreat at a camp in the Texas Hill Country.  It was beautiful...lots to do around the grounds, good friends there, a spiritual focus...I was looking forward to a time of renewal.

A lot of what was shared that weekend had to do with purpose...what purpose did God have for us?  One thing I discovered over the course of the weekend...fear paralyzes me a lot, and keeps me from fulfilling my true calling.

I asked myself, "Is fear what is keeping you from moving forward wholeheartedly?"  As usual, Kyle was excited and ready, and I had been dragging my feet.

Then, something happened.  My good friend Sammi ran into an old friend of hers. She had not seen this friend in years!  They were so surprised and excited to see one another there...what a strange coincidence! Sammi introduced the family to us, which included her two daughters adopted from China.

I got to briefly talk with her friend about adoption, and told her that we were considering it.  Nothing she said that day was really different from what we had read online, but I knew God was saying something special to me.

This Sunday at church, we talked about recognizing God speaking to us and working around us. To me, this was a huge God sighting.  No one or nothing will ever be able to convince me that the teaching and events that weekend were just a chance thing.  God spoke to me that day, and I knew.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. -John 10:27

(A post by Erika)