From the June 2009 Church Letter

Before my family moved to Shawnee we were in the middle of adoption plans.  We were going to adopt from Kazakhstan which is between Russia and China.  But as time wore on it was evident that the program was indefinitely stalled.  So, a year after coming to Aydelotte, our family switched countries. 

Now we are pursuing an adoption from Ethiopia.  We sent our paper-work off in January and probably won’t receive what’s called a “referral” until mid-fall.  Until then, we are praying for this future child and staying in touch with other families who have recently adopted from Ethiopia or are in the waiting period like we are.  

Some ask why we don’t adopt domestically.  We may in the future, but whether to adopt domestically or internationally is a decision every family has to make for themselves.  I praise God for every family who adopts a child, regardless of where they are born; don’t you?  Just imagine – there are 4 million orphans in Ethiopia alone!  

Now on to my point – Sydney and I have learned that regardless of the adoption program, we are not in control.  It takes more effort than we think it should take.  It takes more time than we think it should take.  Sometimes it feels like we are at the mercy of everyone else.  Sometimes we get disappointing news that sets us back or makes us question if we’re doing the right thing. 

So what do you do when you’re not in control and things take longer than expected?  Sydney and I try to remember Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”  We are not at everyone’s mercy; we’re at God’s mercy.  He is the One in control.  He determines time tables.  He is in the driver’s seat.   We must be still and know the One we trust and trust the One we know.  

God is teaching me this in more than one way.   As a pastor and as a parent, God reminds me constantly that He alone is God and that He, according to Psalm 115:3, “does all that he pleases.”  

What else do you do when you’re not in control?  You do what farmers do.  If you planted a corn field today you cannot expect corn tomorrow.  And you may wait for years before the apple seed you planted will produce any apples.  As Solomon says, “For everything there is a season.”  But that doesn’t mean the farmer sits on his hands.  He works even as he waits.  He toils even as he trusts. 

So it must be with us.  As Sydney and I wait for our adoption to ripen, we pray and plan and remain as faithful and patient as we can.  As we wait for God’s work to unfold at Aydelotte, we pray and plan and remain as faithful and patient as we can.  He is in the driver’s seat, but He has still given us much to do, beginning with knowing, trusting, worshiping and proclaiming Him.  

Sometimes God allows an unexpected bend in the road.  This looks like an unnecessary or painful delay to us.   To God, this looks like the way to Ethiopia.                   

In Joy,
Pastor Paul