Joy Comes in the Morning

Psalm 30:5b “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Tomorrow marks seven years since Danielle and I received the telephone call which informed us that we would not be going to serve in Honduras as full-time missionaries. I vividly remember sitting on the edge of the bed telling Danielle the news, which was a blow to both of us. In the following days we would relay the news to family members, friends, church family, and our prayer support team; facing the same questions repeatedly- “why didn’t you get the call” and “now what are you going to do?”. The months following the news would be a time for mourning, reflection, healing, and reengaging in Rockford life, which we had started to pull away from when we were so certain that we were heading to Central America. 

Fast forward seven years to April 14, 2013 as we sit in our living room surrounded by family and friends celebrating Nathaniel’s first birthday. Not only was it wonderful to celebrate our long-awaited son after a lengthy adoption process, it was an honor to experience it with those that we have shared life and ministry with in the last seven years, including a wonderful group of college ministry students/former youth ministry students that we have the privilege and blessing to call friends. I will not say that this would have been

impossible if we had gone down to Honduras, but highly unlikely. Yesterday was a tremendous reminder of God’s wonderful blessings and joy He brings as we strove to follow Him obediently after the Honduras life chapter closed.

So many friends seem to be facing tough decisions and “closed doors” (I hate that term) regarding work, school, and life issues.  These issues are not easy and can weigh heavy on hearts. For those in the midst these situations, a couple of suggestions:

• Always obey the written Word of God. For the Christian to willfully violate the written commands of Scripture is to invite strict discipline and hardship  into their lives (Hebrews 12:5-11).

•  Elicit prayer support (James 5:16, I Thessalonians 5:17, etc.). Danielle and I relied on the prayers of dear brothers and sisters after the Honduras chapter and throughout our adoption journey.

•   Just do something. After prayer and study of God’s Word, don’t get stuck in the paralysis of analysis or self-pity. Make a decision and get moving. Don’t worry about making the wrong decision if the options do not violate God’s written Word. The fact is, we serve a sovereign God in complete control.

Proverbs 16:9 has been a “life verse” for many years. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” I am so thankful for Him directing our steps over the years, leading to yesterday’s birthday celebration for Nathaniel. God is good.

Addendum:

I just realized that our old blog site is still up (does anything ever really go away on the internet?). Here is an entry that I wrote during that season: Our Current Calling.

Casting Crowns' song Already There was a huge comfort during our adoption journey and powerfully speaks to God's sovereignty.