not me - not we - not i

I understand the comments regarding the adoption of "Wow! You guys are amazing."; "We're so proud of what you guys are doing."; or "I just think what you guys are doing is great."

Thank you, but ... Well it is not us who should get any of the praise. God is the one who should be praised. God is the one to be lifted up. That is the whole purpose of this blog - so we can tell how God has written us into this story and tell of the crazy things he is doing - the story of God in our lives.

This concept of God getting the glory is a relatively new understanding - - for me that is. I saw it quite clearly while reading sometime last fall in the old testament. (the timing of this understanding has been quite appropriate and grounding).

It was in a story of one of Israel's ups and downs in following God (a narrative that is too personally familiar for us today). God basically tells his people that he will rescue them, but it is not for them - not for their sake - but for the sake of his holy name.

I don't know why, but this passage jarred me in a significant way. It first seemed a bit harsh - or really quite harsh actually. You could argue that it is even the work of an over-the-top selfish God who just wants to see His name in lights. And that is exactly what it is as long as your perspective is, as mine was, out of whack - looking to God as an equal - as a partner as we go through life.

That is not God. God is the Creator. God is the Lord - think of the movies about old England. The lord was the head of the land and everyone in his land bowed to him. - This is the posture and perspective that gets out of whack when we forget or choose to not be in awe of God. When we choose to not bow before the Lord.

I had a very honest and grounding text conversation a couple of summers ago with a friend who travels frequently to Belize. Knowing this friend knows Alfred and had recently been to Belize I was checking in. After finding out Alfred was doing well I, seeking ego filling confirmation, asked how he thought Michelle would do as Alfred's parents.
While I waited for his reply I imagined the great things he could say about Michelle and I, our kids, our parenting.
With those thoughts in my head you can imagine how the air was sucked out of me when I began reading the reply, "I think you guys are way in over your heads." .... how dare he!!! ... that is neither encouraging or supportive!
After getting over my mini self-righteous pout I was able to continue reading, "... but with God you can do anything."

So simple
So honest
So profound

So true

Thank you everyone for your kind words and your support of all kinds, but please see and hear the story of God in our lives.

To those of you who walk the road alongside an adopted child or a special needs family member - may the Lord be praised for the work he is doing thorough your family.

Praise God for the mother's heart He has given Michelle for the child she has never met!