What I Learned In Children's Church Last Sunday and How It Encouraged Me In Our Adoption Journey

I was teaching.  And I'm thankful that when I am out of the regular church service, busy with the kids, God still meets me where I am--literally--and teaches me lessons that I need.

OUR lesson was on the story of Abraham sending his trusted servant to choose a bride for his son Isaac.  He sends his trusted servant back to his old homeland to find a wife.  His servant prays to God for very specific direction through a sign so that he might know who to approach, and miraculously, God answers very specifically through that sign.  (It's all found in Genesis 24 if you want to read it.)    And then, the servant presents gifts, and then thanks the Lord publicly, and then ends up going back to her house to meet the family, spill the beans about why he's there handing out gold jewelry pieces, and ask for their daughter's hand in marriage for his master's son.

 And there's more!  They discover that they are family of Abraham and this is pretty influential in the whole process too.  And the servant tells about God's blessing on Abraham (which couldn't have hurt either) and how his specific prayer was answered.  The dad and brother discuss the providence of God in this and agree to send their daughter back with the servant.  It seems like it's all worked out and then BAM!  The mother and brother say to "hold on", that the girl--Rebekah should stay 10 days before they let her go.  But the servant is anxious to get back to his master, and after some discussion they agree to let Rebekah decide when to go and she agrees to go now.  And THEN, there's this long, hot, dusty camel ride journey to get back to Abraham's new home in Canaan.  When they finally get there, Isaac is out moseying through a field and sees them coming from far off and they see each other and meet.  And marry.  And it says that "He loved her."

Now here's where I was encouraged: Isaac was at home waiting.  He knew he wanted a wife--even needed one.  He was not allowed to go on the expedition.  He didn't get much say in the whole matter that we can see.  He could only wait at home, and carry on each day with the work and responsibilities before him.  He wasn't aware of the spiritual drama unfolding in Nahor.  Nor was he aware of the minute practical persuasions happening.  He didn't get email updates stating : "We'll be presenting your profile to a young lady at the town well today.  She has olive skin, beautiful brown eyes, moves with grace and dignity and is a willing worker.  Are you OK with that?"  He wasn't aware how it was almost worked out and then doubts were raised to delay it.  Nor was he aware that the heart of his future beloved was made sure and confident by God.  He could only wait and pray and carry on.

His moment of joy came when he was presented with his bride at the end of all the details working together for good.  So many details.  But God's hand was active, moving and weaving them all.   It was all out of Isaac's hands, but firmly in God's.   I can relate a little bit.  And THAT's what blessed me in children's church.

"When it appears from earth that God is delaying, He is really putting pieces together that you had not thought of. He is engineering circumstances so that His power and glory will be on display. When God builds a waiting period into the course of our affairs, it means that what He is doing requires it! His apparent delays are loving, purposeful, and deliberate!". ~ Jennifer Kennedy Dean  (with thanks to my friend Tiffany Herring)