Monday, March 12

I hope you would

One thing we hear quite often in our little world from the people around us is,

 "Oh, I could never do that..."

or " I don't know how you do it!"

And it is always in regards to raising a certain number of children, going through the trials that adoption and foster care can bring, or homeschooling

These statements to me, or to friends in similar situations, are baffling and can be disheartening to a family who is doing something that the Lord has very specifically asked us to be involved in.  It makes us feel as though we shouldn't be able to do it or shouldn't be doing it at all in the first place.  God asks us to do HARD things sometimes, don't ya know?  He is producing a character in us that could not have been conjured up any other way.  The above mentioned situations can definitely be very trying at times, but in striving to do what God has asked us to do, we carry on with joy in our hearts.  Who wouldn't want to be right smack dab in the middle of God's will for them?  Hard or not, that brings joy!



I'd imagine that some would have a hard time equating having a large family, homeschooling, or being adoptive or foster parents to say, being called to be overseas missionaries.  Why is that?  I believe it's because some callings that come right from the mouth of God to an individual or family are more widely accepted as acceptable "mission work or callings" than others. 


If God asked you to adopt or become foster parents, would you?  I hope you would.  (Well, good, because he has already asked you to care for orphans... it may not be adoption, but he has already asked you to do something in his Word, there's no denying that. )

If God asked you to bring your children home and start homeschooling, would you?  I hope you would.


If God asked you to increase the size of your family by conceiving a child, would you?  I hope you would. 


I truly hope you would.  Maybe you already have.  And I hope you have encouragers along the way, because they are so important.  Why is it that some have a hard time accepting and encouraging families who are obediently walking whichever road is presented before them just because they, themselves couldn't imagine it?  Or just plain don't want to, like a toddler stamping her foot?

The other question, of course, we hear constantly from friends, family, and strangers alike is, "Are you done?"  (expanding our family)

Well, how in the world are we supposed to know that?  We can't see into the future - we can't possibly know what he's going to ask us to be obedient to down the road.  Can you really know that? 

So I cringe when I hear people say, "Yes, we're done.  (Insert number of children) is enough for me."  But is it enough for God?  Have you consulted him with an open heart?  Or are you soley relying on your preferences for your life, and figure you don't have to consult him on such a "personal" matter? 

I hear quite often, "But I don't have the (patience, money, or whatever else you can think of) to do that."  Well, neither do we, folks. 

It is God who puts the dreams in your heart, and it is he who provides what you need to complete it the way he has planned. 

Keep seeking the Lord, and don't close yourself off to something different than you could have ever imagined.  Because, guess what?

 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now, of course, taking in and adopting children who have no family, homeschooling, and expanding your family the old-fashioned way are not the only things God asks families and individuals to do that can evoke the raising of eyebrows of onlookers.  The are innumberable amounts of things God may ask us to do, these are just my personal examples, what is important is that you say YES when you are asked by our Holy God to do something that is out of your comfort zone or is foreign to you, and also that you ENCOURAGE and SUPPORT those who already have.  We already know it can be hard, we don't need reminding.  What we do like is a smile, and an encouraging word every once in a while.  Thank you, if you are one of those who support and encourage families walking the paths God has carved out for them - you are treasured!

Thankfully, we don't live for the approval of anyone but God alone.  He is the only one we want to please! 

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14 comments on "I hope you would"
  1. Amen! Praise the Lord! I love walking in the fathers leading. Love your sweet family!

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  2. Marilyn WhiteMarch 12, 2012

    Well said my friend. And going on without fear because He goes before us..

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  3. FYI, I LOVE your blog!!! So encouraging! Thanks for sharing! Love you!

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  4. I love seeing families open to more children.
    One of the hardest things I have had to deal with, having had numerous miscarriages, are comments like you mention, plus the one about how "we fixed that little problem", ie., fertility. Comments like that sting, no matter how much time and prayer one has processed through over the years.

    And its not just the personal feelings that cause that sting. Its the open stance that is being held. That God does not know best.
    Puzzles me for sure, and I really hope and pray that all Believers can see the folly in this.
    I understand health fears, and maybe these are prime situations for switching to foster care and adoption.

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  5. amen, Amen, and AMEN! I get all these comments/questions ALL the time! I love when people just say things like "You have a beautiful family!' or "Aren't children such a blessing?" Alas, that is NOT what I usually hear!

    Love your blog, btw. I've been following for a while (6 months?) and really appreciate your heart on adoption, homeschooling, child-rearing. I see your good works and give praise to our Father in Heaven!

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  6. Amanda,
    I absolutely love the last two verses in Ephesians 3. I just read those this afternoon, and they struck such a cord with me. I have them written down in my little journal where I've written all my favorite Bible verses that have come to mean something over the years or that have convicted me, and that God has given to me. Thanks for the post. I sometimes get in the rut of saying, "Oh, I can't do that, or I would never do that" You have inspired me to take those phrases out of my vocabulary.
    IN Christ,
    Bethany

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  7. Amanda, that was so wonderfully said and it speaks to my heart. I think about having that blog of mine and then I think, "Ah, Amanda is saying it already! Why need it be repeated?" LOL :O) I see God is moving me in another direction and for now I will share your post on my page. :O)

    I cannot help but beam, beam, beam when I see all of you in person or here on FB. I love your family and always when I look to you and Jeremy, I think, "Praise God!!" and "Wow, just look how God works in peoples lives. They are a testimony to God's glory."

    When people ask you, "How do you do it?" they are truly amazed, because you folks are no ordinary folks. You are a testimony and encourage others to follow hard after Jesus. The things you do are only possible because the two of you have given your family completely over to God. He makes all things possible. And it is a beautiful thing. It is those times when things don't go perfectly we can doubt oursleves, but at those times it helps me to remember that it is through trials we stretch and grow. And although as nurturing mommies we want to give our precious little ones a perfect world, it is helpful for me to remember that God is using trials in their lives to perfect them as well.

    And, by the way, Ephesians 3:20-21 is easily one of my top five verses. When we believe Him when he says this, he is faithful to do it!

    Love In Jesus,

    Susie

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  8. Love the post.

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  9. Amanda,
    Thanks for writing what so many of us feel...but lack the talent to express through written mediums. Sometimes there are people, like me, who have opened their lives to the possibility of more...and God says "no". Trusting Him with this has been hard for me...but I do. Thank you for loving what God has called you to do...
    Wanda

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  10. i think what you are doing is wonderful. from experience i know how listening to God can be hard, from an earthly perspective, but His joy outweighs all the difficulties! keep it up and thank you for listening to our Father! oh and heres a :)!
    p.s love ur blog...i check in every week!

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