We had some rough weeks at the Gamble House. At first it just seemed unfortunate but after a while it was clear we were under attack. Let me see if I can recap things that broke or went wrong...
*We had to have a light fixed on the front porch and the laundry room lost power
*Water pipe busted under the house
*Nathan's computer crashed
*Water heater broke
*Nathan accidentally through out his mom's expensive contacts
*I sprained two of my toes
*Nathan fractured his big toe pretty badly
*The Fridge broke in two places and had to have a whole new "brain" put in
*The back deck broke and was falling off the house
*Weston sprained his leg pretty badly and couldn't walk for several days
*My computer broke and cost us twice as much as we thought it would to fix
*Nathan's exhaust broke on his jeep
*Extended family member had a scare with cancer
*The changing table broke
Whew! Exhausting just remembering it. This series cost us thousands of dollars to fix. I am not sharing to give the enemy the glory. I'm just sharing because it was really hard. Really hard for me. Nathan remained his positive self but did tease he was afraid to answer the phone because I was always calling with bad news. Towards the end I could tell it was draining on him more and more. On one hand we were very blessed because Nathan had just received his bonus for work and we were able to pay most everything off right away. It was heartbreaking for me because we had other plans for this money. I kept asking God why he would give us this money just to take it away. I felt deep in soul towards the end of this that it was a spiritual attack. It was an attack to discourage us and distract us from our Adoption. The enemy wants nothing more than to see this fall through. We've had to redo stuff and jump through hoops and we've only begun. I can get caught up stressing that money wont all be there by the time we need it. We don't just need money to adopt, we need money to make sure we're ready for him when he comes here and to support another life. Why do I stress?? Because I'm listening to the whispers of the enemy instead of standing on the promises of God. I have believed all along that this adoption WILL come to pass but I feel like the Holy Spirit used this time of doubt to say not only will this adoption take place...I will also stretch you farther than you thought possible. I will bring you through these trials you didn't expect and surpass your expectations. I'm so excited to see God continue to move! I'm so excited to continue to press forward in our adoption!
This really encouraged me towards the end of our trials and I'd like to share with you...
So easily discouraged, I'd prepare for my deafeat, the Spirit would remind me...who resides beneath Who's feet. Surrounded by darkness, I reach to take His hand...A God who works all things for good, if only I will stand. Victory waits for those with faith, my shield against the foe. Faith is what I have...now what I see, but what I know. The reason for this test unlcear...His ways are not our ways. Lost, but not alone, I lift my hands to Him in praise. My circumstance provides the chance...my faith in God to prove. Peace and joy displayed because I know the Lord will move. The battle will not last, on that we have assurance. Please let the light of Christ be shown in my endurance. Lord when I'm tested, let me find a way to honor You. Let faith in God be what I have..let trust be what I do. When I'm tested, let me see...by faith, an OPPORTUNITY.
Isn't that Great? Instead of wallowing in my circumstance or wondering why I'm going through this, I realized I could use it as an opportunity. And opportunity to allow God to surpass my expectations when I was concerned about one thing and then had several. An opportunity to trust God and rely on him. Also an opportunity for me to share so that I can relate to others later or help encourage. I pray our series of unfortunate is over, but either way I know God is in control. Perhaps I can learn to have an attitude that when hard times come instead of wondering why me I can see it as an opportunity to grow and be blessed and think, "Why not me Lord?"
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