God's Plan(s) - He's always up to something

Some people think we're nuts.

NO...

When people learn about some of the, shall we say, out of the ordinary things that have happened in our lives, we get all sorts of reactions: shocked, exuberance, bewilderment, giddy disbelief, sometimes even irritation or anger, and the list goes on. What, do people think WE dream think this stuff up? Wow, that's a lot of credit. I am not that creative.

A couple weeks before we moved here, I was asked by my childhood pastor to give a testimony during worship service about following God's plan for one's life. We had *just* come home with Kerline and I guess, in that regard, it was great timing, but truly I don't particularly like public speaking, especially when it is something emotional, like about our kids and adoption, and ESPECIALLY when it puts our family in the spotlight. Like we aren't conspicuous enough! But how do I say no to what our pastor thought as a way to provide an example about following God's plan? No was not an option.

The way I approach something like this is I think and pray about what to say and then just walk up there and start talking, praying that God will just give me the words. The congregation is a conservative Lutheran, very white and mostly age 65+. There are a few known racists in the congregation which steams my pastor, us, and others of course (WWJD? - hello????). Anyway, so what came out was something along the lines of following God's plan may sound irrational or crazy to others, or even yourself. You may try talking yourself out of it, others questioning you may make you doubt, but the bottom line is you don't need anyone's confirmation or approval except God's. We didn't need anyone to say OK to form our family the way we did, though emotionally it sure helped to have so many supportive people around us. But that is not necessarily the way God works. Sometimes he asks us to not only think outside the box, but will eject us far beyond the box to where we could never have imagined. Had we not taken the leap of faith and followed where He was leading, we would have missed this blessing that is beyond measure and description.

The same goes for our move to Spain. No, it's not really mission work (yet), so it may seem selfish to some to pick up and move to a place that will have minor challenges compared to those that millions around the world face. I had to get over that "guilt" of not being more willing to stretch ourselves and go to a place where we could somehow serve in a more obvious way. God is showing me that I have (yet again) a narrow view of mission work, and more importantly, of His plan.

I have NO idea where this move is leading, but it is God's plan for us right now. He laid out all of these complicated details perfectly. Doors were opened and a few were closed to make sure that we were heading in the right direction. It was CLEAR that we were meant to be in this place, at this time, with these children. WHY, we don't really know yet. But that's the way it works. Sometimes God keeps you in the dark as His plan unravels, so that you strengthen your faith.

Did I have doubts along our strange paths that lead us to where we are right now? Yah, you betcha! I don't have even a smidge of ability to dream this stuff up....Puh-lease. There's only One who can come up with this plan, and I'm following Him! He KNOWS what He's doing!