A Light at the End of a Dark Tunnel

I posted on my facebook status the other day: MAKING PLANS, HOPING GOD ISN'T LAUGHING.

I wrote it trying to be funny, but I also wrote it because deep down my heart is broken, my dreams are shattered and I want to hear His voice and do His will. I am learning to trust Him, and I don't want to screw anything up.

A friend wrote these words in response that I believe were from God Himself because they ministered to me in such a big way. Tears began pouring down my face as I read them, it was just what my heart needed to hear.

I don't think He is laughing Charissa. I think He is delighted, much like any good Father who sees His children wishing and dreaming big. I think of the daddy who cheers on his little girl who dreams big and is convinced she can see those dreams come true. Any good daddy I know would be cheering her on, regardless of the outcome, simply delighted that she is dreaming and willing to walk towards those dreams.



Isn't that profound?


So what plans am I making you may ask?

This......

This is Joseph. He is 5 years old. His country will allow me to either share his photo OR which country he resides in, but not both. So while I won't tell where he lives, I will tell you that he will soon be a part of the Urban family. We have to change a few things on our homestudy and update a few forms and approvals and we will be set.

Joseph has been waiting for a family for 5 years. He almost had his chance at one this last fall. A wonderful family, a mom, a dad and 3 older sibling came to rescue him from a sad fate of life in an institution. But a mistake found in his paperwork rendered him unadoptable at the last minute, and his family had to return home without him. They were able to adopt another little boy in his place, but I know their hearts were broken nonetheless. I'm sure Joseph felt the loss too.

I read the Harris' pleas for prayers that day in October, but I was too wrapped up in my own sadness and grief and confusion over our own failing adoption to really even pay attention at the time.  Little did I know how many people were praying for him and little did I know that 4 months later we would be the answer to those prayers. We would be his second chance and he would be ours.

Many people have prayed for Joseph, advocated for him, raised money for him. One family used their Christmas budget to raise money for his adoption grant. How selfless is that? We are so grateful.

When I went to take dinner the other night to my good friend Justine who recently adopted a boy from Hong Kong, I told her our news, and she said Joseph's picture hung on their family's Christmas tree as their Christmas Angel. How good is God that he would bring me out of my sadness and have such a beautiful gift waiting for me on the other side?