Delighting in the Lord in the Midst of Disappointment

“Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart” – Psalm 37:4

This past we have had much time to reflect upon the events that happened in Oklahoma.  First, we want to thank you and the many others that have been praying for us. People have asked us how we are hanging in there.  We respond, “Better than we expected.”  We know that this is because of the many graces that we are receiving from each of you, our “cloud of witnesses,” that have been such an inspiration of support and sympathy to us in this time. 

There are a couple of key reflections that we want to share that we continue to believe after our experience with our failed adoption (what the adoption world calls a “disappointment.”  This is how we will refer to it throughout this post).

1)    Events in life happen for a reason.  We cannot predict events in our lives.  In fact most events that happen to us are out of our control.  It is our response that matters.  The disappointment was not easy to take and the days in Oklahoma were filled with anxiety and fear.  However, we realized that we had each other and we could get through anything together (and with God), so we held on to each other and reached out in faith that the disappointment that we went through happened for a reason.  We trust that God not only has a plan for us, but for the birth mother and the baby, as well. 

2)    God is a good God and only good can come from Him.  We believe that not only did this disappointment have a reason behind it, but God is using it for good.  We may never know the reason or all the goods that come from it (at least not in this life).  We can already see how this has brought us closer together and how loved we have felt from so many.  But these blessings are just the beginning, the little foundation of good that God can and will pour upon us and others because of this experience.  We truly trust in His care for us and that he will keep guiding us along the path to us starting our family.

3)    We feel peace.  This is one of the great graces of your prayers and support.  We have had our moments of struggle since the disappointment, but your prayers have given our hearts peace.  This peace is giving us the strength to forgive any wrong that we have felt through the process and courage to continue with the adoption process. 

We wanted to close with a Scripture passage that struck us this week from 2 Timothy 1:8-9:

"Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord…but share in suffering for the gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose."

We were taken by the words, “in virtue of his own purpose.”  God has a plan, particular in moments of suffering.  This gift of suffering is often times part of the plan, just as He went to the Cross and gave His gift of suffering for all of us. We continue to trust in God’s plan for our lives and thank God for the gifts so many people are to us.    

Thank you for all of your Love and Support!
Lauren and Nathan

Okay....

At least we haven't lost our sense of humor :)