Saturday, April 26, 2014

A New Look & A New Season


Hey Friends,

Adam here. First of all, Lauren and I want to say thanks to our friend Amanda. She is a designer and adoptive Mom that we have met along the way. She gave our blog a new look and we love it. She and her husband Jarrod are entering into an exciting phase of their adoption journey. They just got matched with their daughter who is coming in August! Take a second to check out Amanda’s blog.

I have been thinking a lot about seasons lately—probably because Lauren and I are so grateful that we survived our first Grand Rapids winter. We even bought a tulip to celebrate (see below). But life is full of different seasons, and I heard a pastor talk about this recently. He pointed out that Scripture often compares life with farming. For example, James 5:7-8 says, “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth…until it receives the early and the late rain. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Establish your hearts. This phrase brings to mind perseverance, steadfastness and character. These are all great things, but growing is difficult and waiting is hard. Why does there have to be a process? I wish things were instant.

But notice that the farmer is waiting for “precious fruit.” What James is talking about is the fruit of being like Christ and the fruit of actually trusting God in life. Sometimes Lauren and I wonder what the point to all this waiting is. While I don’t know the full answer to this question, I at least know—in my moments of clarity—that God is teaching us that he grows us as a part of his redemption story. We are microcosms of his grace—walking/talking examples of what he can do with broken things. So he takes broken situations and makes precious fruit grow. He takes infertility and gives adoption.

And there is a point to it: “…the coming of the Lord is at hand.” No matter how dark or hopeless life may seem, there is hope because there is a victorious Lord orchestrating everything. I know he is good, and I know he wins. The only thing worse than suffering and hardship, I think, is the idea that there is no point at all to our suffering and hardship. I know there are no tears, no depression and no sense of loss in the end. But to live like this is true is not easy. It is like tilling the ground, planting a seed, watering the earth and trusting that something great is coming.

So here we are in a season of waiting, trusting that God is growing something in us and preparing us for what is next. We’re just about to sign our home study and be approved for adoption! After that, we will wait to be matched with our son/daughter. We’re not sure how long that will be. Thanks so much for reading. Be blessed and enjoy the Spring!
Adam