Why China?

***Our church has been asking people to write "their story" where faith is concerned so that they can be published in the weekly bulletin.  Our's was featured today:

 My family is what is known as a “conspicuous” family.   We stand out a bit—not in a bad way, but in a way that usually makes people’s gaze soften and smile a little bigger and then stare a little longer after we’ve gone past.  You see my husband and I have two daughters who were born in China.  We’ve gotten used to the looks, but often I can see the questioning look in their eyes…Why adoption?  Why China?  The answer is easy—because that was the Lord’s plan for us.  That was also his plan for C and C.  Jeremiah 29:11 clearly reminds us that “I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future”.

The path leading to the adoption of our daughters wasn’t a mistake, or a “Plan B” or even a lucky coincidence.  It was all God-ordained and God led.  That doesn’t mean that there weren’t hills and valleys along the way (primarily due to our own stubbornness), but when we finally got out of God’s way and allowed him to soften our hearts to his will, beauty unfolded.  In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read, for “this plan of mine is not what you would work out, neither are my thoughts the same as yours!  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than yours.”  Isn’t it wonderful that we serve a God who has such infinitely better plans for us than we could ever dare to imagine?  It is humbling and awe-inspiring at the same time.

The four of us have just gotten home from China, bringing Mei Mei (little sister in Mandarin) home.  There have been ups and downs but throughout it all, God has been reigning supremely.  We continue to hold on to his promise that he “will go before us and follow us.  [He] will place his hand of blessing on our head”—Psalm 139:5 .

Perhaps God is calling you to step out into the unknown.  Could it be that he has laid adoption on your heart?  Maybe he is just asking you to step aside so that he can work his big plan in your life.  Whatever it is, listen, trust and obey.  You won’t regret it!  And now when my little family walks past, you may still gaze at us with a soften look in your eye, but you’ll know a little more about the “whys” behind us.