Being Thankful for Our Thorns

“The weaknesses, failures, and sins of our family are the places where we learn that we need grace too. It is there, in those dark mercies, that God teaches us to be humbly dependent. It is there that He draws near to us and sweetly reveals His grace.

Paul's suffering teaches us to reinterpret our thorn. Instead of seeing it as a curse, we are to see it as the very thing that keeps us "pinned close to the Lord.” ~Elyse Fitzpatrick

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

Been thinking a lot these past few weeks about this fostering & adopting journey the Lord has so graciously given us. My faith has grown so much these last 3 years and to say we’ve been stretched a little mentally, emotionally, and spiritually would be an understatement. We’ve seen up close the battle for the hearts of children... we’ve agonized more over the depravity of sin... we’ve grieved much over the despair of the addict... and we’ve had our hearts enlarged to want to live the gospel every day in more tangible ways. We so long for the Lord’s return and to see the final end to it all!

Yet.... while we wait, there is hope. Somewhere there’s just one more family praying about how they can help just one more child in need.

Somewhere, there’s one more former foster child now grown up breaking the cycle of abuse. Somewhere there’s a weary case worker witnessing a long awaited adoption and choosing not to quit. Somewhere there’s a mother or father admitting they need help and checking themselves into treatment. Somewhere there’s a faithful prayer warrior lifting up the worn out foster parent that just wants to rest but can’t sleep knowing there’s children awaiting a safe home and unconditional love.

And somewhere there’s a faithful servant of God ministering to the prisoner, the prostitute, or the penitent sinner ready to repent.

I never dreamed it would be so hard to walk this road at times... but I wouldn’t trade it for any other road either! I’ve seen souls being won to Christ... I’ve seen chains of addiction broken... I’ve seen families restored... & I’ve seen glimpses of grace that have blown me away!

For every painful hurt, I’ve also seen a purposed hope. For every dark road, I’ve also seen deep redemption. For every obstacle, I’ve also seen overcoming.

For every difficulty, I’ve also seen deliverance. For every rejection, I’ve also seen reconciliation.

Is there still darkness, pain, and despair at times? Yes!

But woven through each moment, there is an unending HOPE!!

And that Hope has a name — JESUS!

He is ever faithful, He is true, He is the only way and a life surrendered to Him is the ONLY life worth living!

I don’t know who needed to be reminded of these truths tonight besides me... but I do know my heart’s desire always is to know Him more & to make Him known!

If you’re struggling, be encouraged by His Word. Choose to be joyful and thank Him for the journey He has allowed and is walking with you. Trust Him that even when you don’t know where He is taking you, God knows and He can handle whatever comes your way.

And always, if you’re reading this and you come to realize you don’t have joy, you don’t know the peace of knowing Christ as your personal Savior and you want to know Him as Lord... please message me! I’d have no greater joy than to share the truth of God’s word with you and how you can know what it means to be born-again!!