My hope is in You

In a few hours, we will have the privilege of meeting the newest members of the Bodine family - Ava and Eliza.  We have been on this journey of adoption together for many months and to finally see the answer to so many prayers in the flesh is nothing short of miraculous.  It has been a long and difficult journey both figuratively - and quite literally for them right about now!  The months of waiting and wondering and worrying are over and now a totally new chapter in their lives begins.  My heart is full and I am thrilled that their family will all sleep together under the same roof tonight.  I can only imagine the relief that Darren and Tracy will feel having all of their children in one place.  At the same time, it is impossible for me not to think about my sweet daughter who is still living almost eight thousand miles away.  I long for her homecoming and it is an hour by hour choice to trust God and His timing.  I have had many moments of frustration and turmoil, but in the midst of the chaos that is my emotional state lately, God is there and He has never left me.  He has offered His peace time and time again.  His arms are wide open and all I have to do is run into them.  He knows.  He cares.  He understands.  I love Hebrews 4:14-16 from the Message:

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

It sounds so simple, but in reality is much harder to do.  I am so thankful for friends and family who understand how difficult this period of waiting has been.  It was hard before, but holding her in our arms and then leaving her behind has made it infinitely more difficult.  This morning at church, the elders prayed for our family - for patience and strength and peace - exactly what we need. 

Psalm 33:4-11  For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.  The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.  By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.  He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.  For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.  The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.  But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Psalm 33:20-22  We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.  In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.  May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.