God is Sovereign (even over our suffering!)

I have been told by a number of people things to the effect that "It's good to know that even though God did not cause our suffering (even though we are suffering only because of man's fallennes), God can still turn it around for good." I have to say that I disagree with this statement. I believe that God is completely sovereign over all things - even over our suffering. After Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery and he experienced great suffering at the hands of the Egyptians, he said to his brothers, "It was not you who sent me here, but God." (Gen 45:8) And later he told them, "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." (Gen 50:20) Yes, God is sovereign even over other people's evil intentions. God has a plan even in our suffering - Not despite our suffering. God is not surprised by what we are going through. He is not left scrambling to find a way to work this together for our good. Rather, he planned our suffering because he knows that it is for good. We can be thankful that he is graciously allowing us to go through pain that we may know more of his goodness and mercy. He does have a sovereign plan in what we are going through, and we trust in His promises and His faithfulness.

The key to suffering rightly is to see in all things the hand of a merciful and good and sovereign God and "to live upon God that is invisible." There is more of God to be had in times of suffering than any other time.
-John Piper

Let me beg of thee, that thou wilt not be offended either with God, or men, if the cross is laid heavy upon thee. Not with God, for he doth nothing without a cause, nor with men, for . . . they are the servants of God to thee for good.(Psalm 17:14 KJV; Jer. 24:5). Take therefore what comes to thee from God by them, thankfully.
-John Bunyan

Jesus, I am resting, resting

The Lord is continuing to teach us how to rest in Him. (In more ways than we ever anticipated!) Here is an e-mail to a friend who asked if I was nervous about our adoption:

DATE: 12/14/2007

I'm definitely nervous. Especially during the hard days - then I think, "Am I crazy, what was I thinking?!? How am I going to do this with four kids?" But then, I always come back to the amazing way that God has led us here so far, and I know (with my head, but not always my heart) that if God does not want this to happen - it still will not happen. I also know, like you said, that I really can't do it on my own. And I think that is exactly where God wants us to be - so that in our weakness He will make us strong. He gets the glory.

Right now I am struggling with how to make sure that I am in a place where I'm resting in Him and His strength even during the "easy" days, so that when the tough ones come (and I am expecting them to come) - I'll be better prepared and in the
habit of resting. (It makes me think of that hymn - "Jesus I am resting, resting. In the joy of what thou art; I am finding out the greatness, of Thy loving heart.) So, I think of it as an opportunity to learn more about God and for my faith to grow. (And trust me - I have a lot of growing to do!) I can totally imagine how you must be feeling right now though - It's easy for me to calmly say these things because I have not just been hit with any huge news!
Hang on to Jesus! I'm praying for you!
Sarah
ps Okay, so I had to go look up the rest of the words to that hymn - If you are interested, I love the verses (although the music on this site has much to be desired!!!) http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/i/jiamrest.htm

As we are resting in Jesus, you - my faithful readers - I'm sure have had quite enough of the posts of old e-mails! Of course I could go on an on, but with the next few posts I am going to list some of the adoption resources that I have been using and have found especially helpful. Should be a bit more interesting for those of you who are adopting right now. Thank you for continuing to pray for us and for Lilibeth and Eddie.

He works in ways we can't even see

Looking back at e-mails that I wrote during this process has really helped me to see how God was moving. Here is an e-mail I wrote last November:

DATE: 11/20/2007

This has been such a unique and heart-wrenching process for us! I have days too where I've been completely sad and discouraged and anxious . . . etc. It's still hard - even after having a referral because there are so many unknowns! For some reason lately God has really blessed me with a peace and rest about everything, but that has definitely not been my attitude throughout the process! . . . It's so hard to wait! . . .

So, the names. . . We are keeping Lilibeth's first name - We actually really like it! It is a combination of Lilian and Elizabeth. Lilian means "pure" and Elizabeth means "My God is abundance." We are changing her middle name to Joy (it is Melisa). We haven't settled on a name for Eddie yet, but we will most likely keep his middle name which is Eduardo (they call him Eduardo at the orphanage because his first name is Carlos and they had too many Carlos's already.)

. . . I just look back on everything now, and even though we don't have Lilibeth and Eddie in our arms yet, I can see why the Lord caused the delays that he did, even though it was painful and so hard at times. He has worked in ways that I can't even see, and I trust that Lilibeth and Eddie need to be where they are a bit longer than we had hoped because God has a greater plan than mine.

Oh, and I know what you mean about being concerned about the kid's transition into your home! I've been thinking about that a TON lately! I've noticed though that I get more anxious when I spend a lot of time reading the posts on the Guatadopt list - The people post the really hard situations, but the people who have good situations don't bother writing about it. But, I do think it will be hard. But it will be good too! And it will build character and faith! (I'll need to save this e-mail so I can read it to myself when the kids come home.) :)

Little did I realize that I what this e-mail would mean to me now. It will be hard, but it will be good. And it will build character and faith. God has a greater plan than mine!