I love getting this question. I also hate it.
We’re surrounded by so many amazing people in our lives, who’ve connected themselves with what God is doing in and through our lives. I know that so many of our friends and family carry the burden with us, and bring it to God on a regular basis. I’m reminded of that every time someone I haven’t seen or spoken to in a while asks, “any updates on Phoebe?”
Or the even funnier question we sometimes get, “So do you have her home yet?” Ouch. That’s right, we’ve been traveling this road since March 2012. Over 2 years now. It’s possible to see people we don’t see very often, who honestly think “surely they’ve got her by now.” So many of you have been on this road with us. So many of you have given, way more than we could ever have anticipated/expected/asked. We’re humbled as we are constantly reminded how “not alone” we are.
We know that national attention is being given to so many parents who’ve completed the adoption process, and still are not being allowed to bring their children home. I can’t even imagine what that’d be like. But I know I’d love to be in that stage. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. I had no idea how much simply the journey of adoption itself, would make an impact on our home, our family, and our community/relationships. My children will not only remember the fact that our family was involved in adoption…they will remember how we prayed and waited on God for years as a part of this.
I know it could have been faster. There are plenty of countries in suffering, where children are being adopted and brought home. We celebrate whenever we hear of a child finding a home. But this was the road we followed God down, and even though it seems like a really hard season to travel…we know that as we’ve offered each step to God, He’s brought purpose and redemption to every moment. We are not waiting to bring Phoebe home, safe and sound, before we declare “Look, this was indeed the call of God and He has provided!” We are declaring it even now, even when the road ahead is still long, and the dust gets in our eyes from time to time.
Because that’s our story as God’s people, right? That God isn’t waiting until it’s all “made right” to bring His redemption and life-transforming purposes. The formative years of our home, are being wrapped around having to trust in God. Our relationships are being flavored by prayer and honest burden-sharing. Our marriage is strengthened by the mutual “labor pains” of bringing our daughter home. Children and families in the DRC are being prayed for, conflict/wars are being prayed against, and support is becoming connected to an area of the world that has been desperately needing it for a long time. Our story is just a small part of that bigger story.
A lot of this came to mind, as I heard a song earlier today that I’ll share the lyrics from as I close:
“We found hope on this long and dusty road
at the table we were fed as he broke the bread
We found hope on this long dusty road.
We found hope on this long and dusty road
In His presence we found truth, that we bring to you
We found hope on this long dusty road.
We found hope on this long and dusty road
He’s alive and brought us peace, now we gather to feast
We found hope on this long dusty road.” – Von Strantz (free download here)
So keep asking us if there are updates. We may initially struggle with getting our answer out…but it’s worth contemplation…:)
words from wick 