I am tempted to say "good riddance" and well, I guess I just did! 2009 was a very tough year - quite the roller coaster filled with lots of disappointments. I am trying to remember the good as well. I know there were some wonderful moments, but in my current state I just can't seem to put my finger on any of those memories - I need to read back through some old blog posts and my journal and dig some up!
My dear friend who also happens to be my pastor, Mike feels that 2010 will be a "banner year". I am hopeful that he has "heard correctly" and this will be the case!
In any case, Happy New Year! May 2010 be a year of reunification and reconciliation!
Showing posts with label Reconciliation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reconciliation. Show all posts
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Advent and I.A.*
Advent is a season of waiting. A season of joyful anticipation of the birth of our Savior. There were more than 400 years of relative silence between Malachi and Matthew...400 years of waiting for the Messiah promised over and over by the prophets, finally fulfilled by a tiny baby's cry.
Jesus
He was the answer everyone was waiting for.
And no one expected.
A warrior, yes!
A King - definitely!
A statesman - to be sure!
But a baby? Completely unexpected.
And yet, He was and still is, the perfect answer to a world in need of reconciliation, forgiveness, restoration, healing.
I.A. has turned out to be a season of waiting for me. Completely unexpected. As I anticipate the joyful homecoming of Moonbeam. As the wait drags on maintaining a sense of hopefulness is tricky. And yet hope I must. In light of who I know God to be - a God of reconciliation, a God whose heart is for the orphan. A God of mercy and compassion. My hope is in Him. In the one who will provide for Hannah and for me in unexpected ways. I don't want to be so caught up in my frustration that things don't look like I would have liked or expected that I miss His plan. And so I wait - sometimes in joyful expectation, other times in self - pity, but I wait nonetheless. I won't give up Moonbeam - I am still waiting, and hoping and praying that one day we will be reunited!
*I.A. = International Adoption
Jesus
He was the answer everyone was waiting for.
And no one expected.
A warrior, yes!
A King - definitely!
A statesman - to be sure!
But a baby? Completely unexpected.
And yet, He was and still is, the perfect answer to a world in need of reconciliation, forgiveness, restoration, healing.
I.A. has turned out to be a season of waiting for me. Completely unexpected. As I anticipate the joyful homecoming of Moonbeam. As the wait drags on maintaining a sense of hopefulness is tricky. And yet hope I must. In light of who I know God to be - a God of reconciliation, a God whose heart is for the orphan. A God of mercy and compassion. My hope is in Him. In the one who will provide for Hannah and for me in unexpected ways. I don't want to be so caught up in my frustration that things don't look like I would have liked or expected that I miss His plan. And so I wait - sometimes in joyful expectation, other times in self - pity, but I wait nonetheless. I won't give up Moonbeam - I am still waiting, and hoping and praying that one day we will be reunited!
*I.A. = International Adoption
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday
Good Friday - incredibly good for us - an oxymoron for Jesus - although I don't believe He saw it that way. It never ceases to amaze me.
This year I let Easter sneak up on me and I regret it. Caught up in the pain of waiting I have to admit I haven't prepared my heart the way I would like.
I really prefer to observe Lent and prepare my heart for the wonder of Easter - Resurrection Sunday - Reconciliation Sunday might be an even better word for it.
Good Friday and Easter are all about reconciliation! The hope of reconciling with God through His amazing sacrifice on Good Friday.
Interesting, the pain I've experienced over these last eight months is all about hoping to reconcile with my sweet Hannah.
But for now, I will embrace the reconciliation offered to me by a risen Savior! Who patiently accepts me for the mess that I am - mercifully forgives me for being too wrapped up in my own pain to remember His.
He is risen!
(here's your part you say: He is risen indeed!)
This year I let Easter sneak up on me and I regret it. Caught up in the pain of waiting I have to admit I haven't prepared my heart the way I would like.
I really prefer to observe Lent and prepare my heart for the wonder of Easter - Resurrection Sunday - Reconciliation Sunday might be an even better word for it.
Good Friday and Easter are all about reconciliation! The hope of reconciling with God through His amazing sacrifice on Good Friday.
Interesting, the pain I've experienced over these last eight months is all about hoping to reconcile with my sweet Hannah.
But for now, I will embrace the reconciliation offered to me by a risen Savior! Who patiently accepts me for the mess that I am - mercifully forgives me for being too wrapped up in my own pain to remember His.
He is risen!
(here's your part you say: He is risen indeed!)
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