AOG & Adoption Update

Last night was a wonderful evening spent with the ladies from Apples of Gold. AOG is an incredible mentoring program that respected women of a wise generation from Prestoncrest do as an act of service for the younger generation. Pat is a wonderful hostess. I enjoyed seeing women I don’t get so see very much anymore but think of very highly. Dawn & Melissa I hope you feel better soon. My sweet friend Jennifer was gracious enough to arrive with me and I got to spend more time with her on the drive.

Upon arriving home, I received a call from our mutual friend of M. M was seriously considering us to raise her unborn baby. The birth father had Billy’s hair and skin color. It did seem ‘meant to be’. She lost her baby two days ago. We are praying for M in her loss. It may not make sense to others that we also feel a loss in this. The cliché ‘it’s not meant to be’ is floating through my head with not much comfort attached. Platitudes don’t compare with a soft heart willing to listen. Distant safe silence increases the loneliness of this experience. Really only God with His perfect healing can move us forward. The lure to protect my heart with guarded fierceness from future disappointment grows. I’ve learned with previous experiences the negative power of the vows we make ourselves in pain. I can’t live up to the step-ford version of an impervious Christian and frankly when I’m hurt I don’t even want to try. Not only is it not realistic, it’s actually harmful. It’s not what Jesus taught or lived out. I’m human and this hurts. David, a man after God’s own heart, struggled, failed at times, doubted and hurt. I can’t intellectualize my way out of the pain in my heart. Stuffing it down with plastic smile in place just makes it twice as hard to move onward. How I covet the ability to float over my troubles with no hurt, no doubt and the firm heart knowledge of God’s perfect timing.

I don’t have any more words right now. Tomorrow is a brand new day.

ADD 12:55 PM: Advent devotional for today. Luke 1:57-60
"When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth, she had a boy. her neighbors and relatives heard how good the Lord was to her, and they rejoiced. When the baby was eight days old, they came to circumcise him. They wanted to name him Zechariah because this was his father's name. But his mother said, 'No! He will be names John.'"

1. What was the neighbors and relatives reaction to Elizabeth having a baby, and being blessed by God?
2. Why did they want him to be named Zechariah?
3. Where does your name come from?

The neighbors and relatives of Elizabeth were not jealous that God had found favor in her. They rejoiced for her!

Dear God, help us to be happy when you bless others with good things. Give us happy hearts to help them praise you for the good things you have done for them. Amen

[This is the devotional word for word, I didn't change anything. Wow, does that apply]