Wednesday, June 17, 2009

God's timing IS perfect

So I am in the middle of the latest Beth Moore bible study on the book of Esther. Again, God's timing is impeccable for this Buttercup.

As I look back, I see God's perfect timing throughout many chapters in our lives. Most recently, Jambo and Kume came home at the absolutely best time for our family. Over and over I have seen the perfectness of His plan. Of course, there are those that I still don't understand, and on this side of eternity, I may never. That is where faith comes in, and I throw my confusion back at God. He always catches it well, handles it perfectly and never drops it. Once thrown back to Him, He grows His indescribable peace in me.

As we wait on Li'l B, wait for her to be HOME, here are some gifts God has given to me in His perfect timing. These are all excerpts from the Esther study. (Hope that is credit enough. This Buttercup has done tons of research throughout college and grad school, so properly noting resources has been exhaustively drilled into me).

"He never takes His eyes off of us or off the clock ticking over us."

even when it totally doesn't feel like it....

"When all is said and done, Satan can't win and God with you can't lose."

I SO needed to hear that.

"Sometimes we fear that fighting for what is right will kill us. Then again, it occurs to us that to stand by and do nothing out of self-preservation is to be dead already."

Oh, we were so fearful at first to bring an HIV+ child into our home, but God clearly revealed to us our fear was out of our desire to preserve our safe, little lives. He is completely not about that! He is about LIVING.

"Every giant-sized weight drops into our laps right on schedule. None of our purposes will be fulfilled easily. All of them will require the most difficult decisions we think we can make. Decisions that we may feel will practically kill us. Then God does something miraculous and we become something we're not."

Again, that was EXACTLY where we were when contemplating adopting Li'l B. It certainly wasn't on OUR schedule, and I don't have the words to describe just how massively difficult the decision making time was. But I so believe we have become something different as we have stepped out in faith. More eternally focused....and excited to parent Li'l B, the girl, not Li'l B, the HIV+ child.

"In times of greatest struggle when you make the Godward decision over convenience, earthly comfort, or carnal pleasure, you too have come to a critical moment in the fulfillment of your destiny. A defining moment."

Fulfilling our destiny....oh, it is humbling and exhilarating.

Lastly, "She must step into the unknown known and into the hiddenness completely unhidden. Fully exposed, only a providential force could protect her now."

Yes, us too. This is our destiny, and we are not continuing to walk this journey hidden. In the HIV/AIDS world, in the developing world, life or death is the issue. In America, with amazing meds, disclosure is possibly the biggest issue. God has nudged us to not remain hidden, but to be exposed, to disclose, trusting that He will protect us.

So, as we wait on God's perfect timing for Li'l B, we are truly thankful for the reminders that His timing IS always perfect.

Matthew 12:20 - ....till He brings justice to victory.

12 comments:

Robin said...

May God continue to bless you as this post did for me! I did a Beth Moore study last fall and what He revealed to me during that study was amazingly powerful and life changing!

Andrea said...

I loved that study! She always has such great insight and I love how God uses her to speak to us when we need it! Prayers for you as you wait.
Andrea

HollyMarie said...

Yes, His timing is perfect! We too have slowly but surely become more "unhidden". I remember once someone said that hiding the fact is only contributing to the stigma and fear surrounding HIV. The more people who know someone living (and thriving) with HIV, the more educated the world becomes.

Amanda said...

I appreciate your being unhidden in this issue. I have made the same choice for our family and of course, with time-it will be our daughter's choice what she chooses to share.

It is an important issue that must remain in the public's eye. Many people have an opinion about it and often times it is unfounded. We need to change that.

Thank you for sharing.

Jen said...

I so needed this today... I needed to be reminded about HIs timing. Was so discouraged..

James1:27 said...

Amen! I really needed to hear that Sharon. Gods timing is absolutely perfect. I can't wait to meet little B when she is united with her awesome family here. Michelle

Nikki said...

Thanks SO much for sharing. I just completed Beth Moore's "The Patriarchs." I was blown away how God spoke His truths through stories I have known since a child and applied to our adoption journey. Isn't God's Word cool like that?

Thanks for your note and encouragement. We are so proud of all of our kids!

Our journey following Christ said...

Wow, what a great post! Thank you for sharing our of the Esther study. I haven't done that one yet...looks like I better do it! Such powerful quotes.

It's beautiful to hear how you are trusting God to protect your family as you are open about your kids. Such practical faith!

I'll pray that you'll pass court the first time.

Blessings,
Laura

Tara said...

thanks for saying hi, i am going to rest on those words you wrote, your family is beautiful, and one more how exciting, i will pray for a pass in court and the lovely sputum thing, ugh!

Andrea said...

Bless you and all your family! It makes my heart smile SO much knowing you are bringing one more child to her HOME! You have been an inspiration to us on our 2nd time around!

Anonymous said...

thank you...I was deeply inspired! I was struggling with disclosing by HIV status to a friend that is battling a disease. I wanted her to know about the healing power / keeping power of the Lord, and I recieved my conformation my reading this page...God Bless you over and over for not being selfish and sharing your story.

Cheryl Roldan said...

Thank you for taking the time to post this. I was really blessed.