Stepping into the Splashes

This might be a bit of a tangent post. That's just the way God is working in my heart these days.

This morning, the girls and I studied the story of Jesus---and Peter---walking on water, one of my favorite stories. There are so many lessons to be learned in this story, and I was eventually in tears as we sat around the kitchen table talking about it together. Because we have alot of parallels in life right now. And, it just hit me so hard!

I kept coming back to two things.

1) First, the reason the disciples were in the boat alone was because Jesus went away and prayed all night. He had been feeding 5,000 people. And, when He finished, He withdrew. Was it because He needed to be refilled with the power He received from His Father? Did He need time to reflect on what God was doing through Him and give God the credit and the thanksgiving for the baskets of leftovers and the miracles of life that just happened? Did He need time to focus again on what was coming the very next day and what God had planned for Him in it?

It was probably all of that and so much more.

And, I find that when I DO get away...and get focused...and give Him the credit...and find His plan again for my life...

I am so incredibly strengthened.

But, another thing happens too. I start seeing Him moving in crazy amazing ways.

More on that in a minute.

2) The second thing I love about this story is that after the disciples are scared silly at seeing Jesus walking on water, Peter says "If it's you, Lord, that I'm seeing, can I come to you?" And, when Jesus says "Come!", he just gets out of the boat.

On to stormy waves.

When no one else is doing it.

Because all he cares about is being with Jesus and doing what HE is doing.

This last weekend, I spent time with 400 adoptive moms at the Created for Care retreat. And this morning, this story of Peter came alive to me as I thought about their hearts.

Some are walking hard roads right through the stormy waves. Some just stepped out of the boat and took their first step in this walk of adoption. Some are in the middle of waiting and asking "Jesus, can I come to you?"

I felt surrounded all weekend by women just like Peter.

Women who aren't doing what everyone else is doing. But, they don't care. They're focused on Jesus and they're gettin' out of the boat.

I was blown away by the stories and the miracles and the encouragement I got to hear about.

And, I was strengthened for my own dive off the side of the boat.

It was awesome.

Worship. Fellowship. PJ parties. Scriptures brought to life for the first time. Wisdom on everything you can imagine about parenting, and praying, and being an advocate for your adopted child. And, a sea of women who shared the same heart and passion for children being raised in families, and not in orphanages.

It made me ready to jump in and run on the waves to Jesus! Because you know what? That's where Jesus is. He is with the orphaned children, the abandoned and the oppressed. He IS the very heart of adoption.

And, it's so easy for us to sit in the boat and look out at the waves and just see a big old orphan stormy problem that can't possibly be conquered by one little person stepping out.

But, we forget the POWER Jesus has to stop the waves! And, to hold our hand! And, to bring children into families where they belong!

And, this weekend was full of reminders of this for me. Even when we adoptive moms feel discouraged and disconnected and overwhelmed, He is always there. Even when we start to fall and doubt and worry because the waves look so big, He "immediately reaches down and catches us" (Matt. 14:31).

I felt like this weekend was Jesus just scooping me up, and saying "Why are you worried? I got this. Keep walking with me. Trust MY power to calm the storm and heal hurting children."

But, this is the other thing I noticed.

When we withdraw from the busy life (which I very much needed a weekend to do), and spend time seeking His face, He shows us Himself.

And, He doesn't just show us a little bit of who He is. He shows us crazy awesome miracles!!!

I can't share names or stories here...not yet. But, I have been weepy today because I am a front-row witness to FIVE different adoption miracle stories that are happening as I type this blog, some of them even began happening in the middle of this conference! I wish I could tell you every detail, because I just want everyone to know how AWESOME God is when it comes to placing His children in forever families.

He moves the mountains!

And, He does it in His perfect time and His perfect way, so there is no doubt in our minds that He sees and He knows these families and these children.

I feel so blessed. Blessed to have been at Created for Care. Blessed to be experiencing adoption and walking with Jesus on this journey. Blessed to be encouraged by so many brave mommas who have gone before me in adoption. Blessed to know so many sweet families who are waiting alongside us to see what God is doing next. :)

And, blessed to be a follower of Jesus! Who calls us out on the water, but doesn't leave us to walk alone. He calls us out of the boat because He knows what we'll find there: a closer walk with Him and amazing miracles for us to experience!

Here's to stepping into the splashes!

{And, two more little things. 1) Will you join me in praying specifically for my FIVE friends? THANK YOU! I can't wait to show you their precious faces very soon. 2) If you know an adoptive mom or are one yourself, please go register NOW for the Created for Care retreat in March. It will bless you.}