I believe each of my children has a purpose and a plan (Jeremiah 29:11) far greater than any I could personally dream up for them.
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, even when brokenness is the only life you know.
Why do I share what many would consider our family’s dirty laundry?
God has very clearly opened doors and written on my heart a message of HOPE and PASSION for reaching women, moms or not, adoptive or not, that feel very alone.
Women who are longing for community and connection, the way I was eight years ago when I began blogging.
Even this week as I suffered a stinging hurt, God spoke to me and revealed He was going to make sure my writing continued to reflect genuine truth and vulnerability.
Every word pours out of me from the blood, sweat, and tears of my life. I have lived every word I have written on this blog.
My heart is splayed open to encourage others that THERE IS MORE THAN JUST PAIN IN THIS WORLD.
It is terrifying, vulnerable and often powerless to know the world reads and judges me. Yet here I am, typing away, because THIS IS MY CALLING.
I cannot run from it.
Ask my family.
ASK MY YOUNGEST ADOPTED CHILDREN.
I have wept before them when I explained I carry every single detail of our story with great responsibility, asking God before I hit publish on a post, praying the words I write are from Him, for His glory, not mine. Their story is precious to me and I would never dream of hurting them in any way.
My adopted daughter told me I have to be obedient to my calling, regardless of the cost. This strong young woman embraces who she is in Christ, no longer a victim but an overcomer.
My adopted child implored me to please share his story if it will help another person.
I looked into his eyes this past Sunday and told him I was proud of him. Not because of anything he did but because of who is. Despite years of pain and struggle this young man received my words and believed them.
THIS IS WHY I SHARE OUR STORY, to give hope to the hurting family.
This is the culture in which we’ve raised our children. Serving others is greater than serving ourselves.
We die to ourselves so that others might see a God of hope and restoration.
In all things we seek to glorify God.
In our failures the world more clearly sees a perfect God.
To the woman who left me the comment, thank you so much for touching my heart and allowing God to stir up my PASSION and JOY.
God is good. All the time.
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This article originally appeared at Marty’s Musings.