Redemption

James 1:17

^"17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

I hold fast to this. I must because this scripture helps me to decipher what has be given to our family by Him. God does not give us grief or calamity or destruction. Those are issues created by Satan, by worldliness, due to the fall of man. 

But God does use those situations and redeems them for His glory.

When we started the international adoption process two years ago, never in a million years did we think it would take the twists and turns that have lead us to where we are at today. We were referred a brother and sister soon after we started. We were excited and overjoyed! We began the process to bring them home. We started to purchase clothes and toys for them. I even painted a beautiful mermaid on the other wall of my boys room in order to compliment the pirate ship mural that was already there. We dreamed, and planned, and soaked in the brightness of each day as we anticipated our journey to go and bring them home.

That journey was never made. Within a few months of our adoption approval and as we were weeks away from going, both children died from complications of Malaria and Typhoid. The light went out. Trying to share with M who was 4 at the time that his new brother and sister would not be coming home was one of the hardest things my husband and I have ever had to do. M stopped praying out loud for a few months after because he just didn't know what to say. It was heart breaking.

We don't believe that our children dying was a part of God's plan. He is a good God who loves his children. We absolutely believe that the enemy has been on our backs the entire time trying to stop us from completing an adoption. Why? Because he knows these children will come to a home where there is Jesus. 

John 10:10 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Satan is that thief. But we have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to cut him down again, and again, and again. He is under our feet always.

Mark 12:36 

David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’

So when the storms come and leave a wake of destruction, God takes that destruction and redeems it for His glory.

Psalm 103:1-22 

Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

So how has the death of our children been redeemed? We know they walk with Him. Our Heavenly Father even sent me a dream of our daughter a day after she passed where I could see her sitting on the lap of Jesus in heaven, laughing, and healed. She was in a bright red sweatsuit:) She was beautiful! 

I still fall into moments of grief in what could have been. But my God is quick to remind me that He has them and that they are in capable hands. That they are excited to meet us one day in heaven. That is a very tender thought.

Eventually, we had another referral. A beautiful little girl only 4 months old. She is now almost 2 and we are continuing to do battle against the enemy and the schemes of man in trying to bring her home. But each day is one day closer. Each day is an opportunity to pray for her. And M and L do so without missing a beat. Faith being restored and hope being given is the best redemption of all. Amen!