If God Told Me To, I Would

Not long after moving to our community {almost 7 years ago} I had opportunity to have breakfast with a woman {about my age} who serves with a ministry here in our town.  A couple of other times we have met and talked. 
The last time we had breakfast together, the conversation turned to the orphan and she wrinkled up her face {as though she had eaten a lemon} and said, “Ummm, like have you finally gotten ‘it’ out of your system, {more wrinkled face gestures} and like are you ready to move on with your life and finally be done with bringing all these kids home?”
I politely responded, “Well actually no.  “It” will never be out of my system.  God’s heart is for the orphan and He calls us each to do something!  We must!  We cannot turn our backs.”  
She quickly changed the subject.
Well the other day I ran into her again.  She was out and about with a young ministry leader here in our community.  The young woman started asking me about adoption.  The other, although pleasant, was clearly not on the same wave-length about adoption.   She finally interjected, “Yes, I was thinking, maybe someday my kids might want to adopt.” 
{Her children are grown.}  
It was the perfect opportunity.  
With the Lord’s boldness welling up in me I said, “You don’t have to wait for your children to adopt.  You and your husband could adopt older children.  There is such a huge need.”  
Without a second hesitation, she got pretty loud and said, “Oh no! Oh no! Don’t even say that! Noooo, noooo, noooo!”   I said, “But you have the ability, and there is so much need for homes for older kids.”  She was loudly protesting, “Nooooo, noooo, noooo” and shaking her head side to side.  
Then all of a sudden she must have realized how adamantly opposed she was sounding about adoption when the young ministry leader and I were clearly having a pro-adoption/pro-orphan conversation.  
The older woman quickly stopped and shook her head up and down and said, “Actually if God told us to do it, we would, and we have prayed about it.”  I turned with utmost kindness, but emboldened by God’s courage and said, “Well it’s hard to hear His voice with your fingers plugging your ears while loudly saying, ‘la-la-la-la-la-la’.”  
She grew quiet and the young woman and I went back to talking.  
Seriously?
Seriously.
I have resolved before God that I will no longer sit idly by.  I will no longer be politely silent with church leaders.  I will be relentless for the sake of the orphan.  I will not back down. I will be outspoken for the cause of the orphan.  I will plead with every ounce of graciousness, but courageously, on behalf of the 163 million treasures waiting for forever families.   I will not give up.  
If we don’t plead on behalf of the orphan, who will?   If we remain politely silent when the orphans cries can be heard around the world, what is our existence worth??  We cannot be silent in order to keep people comfortable.  
The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a comfortable message. It requires life change.   It challenges.  It requires action.   It necessitates doing something.

The same is so for pleading on behalf of the orphan.  It is not a comfortable message.  It requires life change.  It challenges.  It requires action.  If we don’t care, who will?  Caring for the orphan necessitates doing something. 

I came outside that day to where Dw was waiting with a few of our treasures.  I told him about the conversation.  He said, “YOU DID NOT!”  “Ummm, actually I did and I don’t regret it one bit.”  
Don’t tell me that if God told you to adopt you would.  You don’t have to be told to adopt.  The need is there. The need is huge.  There are 163 million kids waiting.  Their value is immeasurable to Almighty God. 
Reminds me of the good Samaritan.  Can you imagine someday the Pharisee answering to God…..”We would have done something if you told us to.”
Actually, that’s just not gonna’ cut it.  The Pharisee and the priest stepped around the man lying on the street.  They were Jesus’ hands and feet.  They were given an opportunity to be HIS hands and feet and yet they failed the test.  They chose to step over him as lying broken and battered, unable to defend himself.     
We don’t need a directive.  
We already have several:
Love one another as I have loved you.  
Defend the orphan.  
Plead the cause of the orphan.
Care for the orphan. 
God sets the lonely in families.   
 We are God’s only hands and feet here on earth.  There is no other way the orphan will be cared for, except us.  There is no one else to plead the cause of the orphan, except us.  There is no one else to politely confront church and ministry leaders with the cause of the orphan, except us.
Will you be bold with me?

92 thoughts on “If God Told Me To, I Would

  1. I love this!

    My husband always laughs and says, "Alisa I don't understand how when we are with people we always end up talking about the orphan or adoption, people might get sick of listening one day."
    I laughed back and told him I would be proud to wear the label "orphan lady" and if ten get sick of listening and one adopts, it is so worth losing the ten, because one child found their family!

    Linny, you are such an encouragement.

  2. I am with you and in this with you. YES! I will be bold with you.

    I have not stopped crying since returning from Ethiopia a week ago (to meet our 6 yr old son. . now we await an embassy date). I pray that I do not get "sucked" in to normal life. comfortable life. I am wrestling. . how to do dinner and laundry and homework when there are all these kiddos needing homes. I do not even know if I am making sense.

    But yes, Lord. . .keep the fire burning in me. . let it roar. . use me.

    I am thankful for your blog

    check out pics of our newest son

    at

    http://onlygodcouldwritethisstory.blogspot.com

  3. Oh my goodness, I'm just shouting A-M-E-N!
    I'm so sick and tired of the body of Christ thinking the status quo is okay! We are not entitled to a single thing! We are so blessed, and we hoard those blessings for ourselves. Okay, better stop there πŸ™‚

  4. I love it! People need to hear the TRUTH! I'm bold, I tell people all the time, unfortunatley not so many listen, but thankfully a few have, and that meant one less orphan or foster child that needed a home! Thanks for you boldness and sharing it with others, we need to all be BOLD when it comes to the orphan! We are their voice and it needs to be heard loud and clear. I can't wait to hear more about that lady in the future, once she gets her fingers out of her ears I bet she ends up doing something for the orphan, I'm sure she was convicted by your boldness πŸ™‚
    God Bless
    Denise in Mi.

  5. Yes, Yes, Yes, Amen.

    Way to go Linny. Praising God for your dedication to the Orphan. I am with you.

    I have single friends that complain of being alone. They would make awesome parents if they could just open there eyes to the orphan and trust God. There lives would change for the better, they would be so blessed, and there would be one less orphan who does not have a mother to kiss them goodnight.

    Linny, can't wait to hear your news. Jesus, move that thrid Mountain, please. Amen

  6. Linny,

    THANK YOU for constantly keeping this before us! I began thinking about the possibility of adoption several years ago, as I was getting closer to 40, and still not having a husband (and therefore less chance of having my own biological kids). God put such a strong "mama's heart" in me, and sometimes it's so painful to bear. (I’m sure that’s a huge part of why my work has me surrounded by so many kids all the time!) And then God uses you & others to keep my heart pricked for the orphan…

    Please continue to pray for God to put together all of the pieces of the puzzle for me to start bringing home some treasures. I am taking steps to be able to do this hopefully soon (a year or two?)… I’ll give you more details when we meet together. I’m so excited, and I don’t want to wait, but it will be awesome to watch God bring it all together!

    And of course, I still pray that He will bring a Godly husband along to share in this journey with me! πŸ™‚

    ~Sharon

  7. LOVE this, Linny!
    Love your boldness to speak the TRUTH!! I hope I can be so bold the next opportunity I get to share about adoption πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚
    oxoxo,
    Stefanie
    P.S. Praying!!

  8. Gosh what a great comeback. I am one of those that think of the great comebacks after the person has left. Great job!

    I have a Christian sister that asked me how I could adopt from China when there are so many here that need mky help. She adopted domestically. We are no longer talking but I never gave her a piece of my mind about that. Like who are you to tell the Lord where he should lead me to adopt.

  9. Preach it Linny! Yes!
    I've had a few pretty awkward moments recently as we've been announcing our adoption. It is almost spiritually oppressive when you encounter people that "aren't into it". Some refuse eye contact, get a sour face and even change the subject right in the middle. SO weird! I can't help but think that that is the Enemy!
    SO proud of you! It is so hard to speak boldly in those situations! You are SO right. We can't hear the Lord when we are shouting "No, No, No!"
    Hugs!

  10. I'm in the middle of writing an article about this very thing! So many people claim they are not "called" to adopt when they are just not listening! You put it WAY better than I could.
    I've been wondering if I am going overboard in advocating for orphans. Yesterday I bought 36 pairs of mittens to send overseas. Thank you for this post – God has gifted me this passion! I am not going overboard – I need to keep moving forward!
    I have started an advocacy website – http://www.thislittlelightproject.blogspot.com . I'd be honored if you became a follower. πŸ™‚
    Rachel

  11. Rachel, who left a comment a few before me said this and it took my breathe away,
    "God has gifted me this passion! I am not going overboard – I need to keep moving forward!"

    My husband and I have been gifted with a passion to help also, and since accepting this gift we have been knocked down repeatedly, not by people but by our finances. The threat of losing everything hanging heavy over our heads. And fear creeping in, stress taking over and doubt filling our days.
    I realize I've been letting all of this tarnish the gift.

    Thank you Rachel for helping me see the gift again. and i must keep going too.

  12. Got Chills reading this. Thanks for the encouragement. I just started classes to become a licensed foster parent, and am terrified that this is not a right decision.

    I prayed before my first class, "God if this is not right for me, please make it clear during this orientation."

    I felt fine through the whole thing, but now I am sooo worried. This really helped. πŸ™‚

  13. The orphans need an advocate- a voice! I am so proud of you that you stood up for the helpless. Never let this passion die within you. Keep up with the boldness. Your passion excites me and urges me on to advocate for the fatherless! Praise God!!!

  14. GO TELL IT SISTA!!! I love your courageous heart and your infectious spirit. Im not even kidding and I love that even though you say you have fears you come forward so boldly. That is proof of the Holy Spirit. : )

  15. YES! YES! YES! Love this! Love you! I hope you don't mind, but I just linked this post on my blog.

    God bless!

    We have been trying to figure out when to start the process again and money is the only reason, but I think we may just need to go for it and trust God's plan!

  16. AMEN!!

    Although I need to work on the gracious part. πŸ™‚ I had a woman I know say to me at the grocery store yesterday how she can't understand how young families are adopting. She kept saying, they are families that have YOUNG children!! I then asked her, how is it any different that YOU having more children (she has 7 to date…and yea…a lot of them are YOUNG..can you imagine!!?). She then said, "But what if the Lord wants to bless them with their "own" (hate this term) children". I then responded that the Lord would then bless them!! "But what if they have 10-12 children!!??". Then they'll have 10-12 children!

    Geesh….by this point my blood was boiling and I wasn't waiting for the Spirit to help me answer. All this was being said over my darling girl Annie. And she knows about my sweet Karleigh Mei.

    She just doesn't get it. As so many don't. And it pains me. And this was an educated Christian woman. sigh. Praying for all of these families who just don't get it. And that they don't 'cause those who DO get it to stumble.

    Blessings,
    Jenn

  17. yes! God has been asking this of me. Finishing the paperwork for our first adoption is not enough. I want for everyone to approve of what we are doing and it hurts me when people are critical. Makes me want to be quiet about it, but God is asking me if I'm willing to be called "crazy" for Him and for His orphans. Am I willing to be one of those "annoying" women that's passionate about a cause. They're out there everywhere advocating for animals rights, breastfeeding, organic produce, recycling…. Its about time for the church to start advocating for something with eternal value: CHILDREN!!

  18. I hate being judged by people, ESPECIALLY other Christians. When we have told fellow believers that we are adopting they act as if we need a trip to the crazy farm. I wonder if it is to make them selves feel better? Or soemtimes they say I'm glad God called you, not me. Sigh.

    I'm glad you posted this….I asked you the other day what to say to a pastor who doesn't feel called.

  19. I am thinking you just may be a kindred spirit. πŸ™‚ I am not often in that situation, but I like that you could be honest and politely address the issue. I agree that everybody should do something for the orphan, and I am desperately longing for more babies of my own. I am currently praying through some mountains that have halted our adoption process and threaten to keep it stopped. I know God can move those mountains, but I do have to keep reminding myself. Thanks for posting about things like this!

  20. I'm so glad you had that conversation and posted about it. We adopted our first China Treasure last April. He's 4. We then got pregnant and I delivered the baby last week. We have 4 kids now, and if I had a nickel for the amount of times that people ask if 'we're done' having/adopting kids.

    NO WAY.

    I tell them that there are WAY too many kids out there still waiting for a home. I get that disgusted look from them, the eyes roll back, and then they interject that it's 'so nice' for us to have adopted, so the Good Lord gave us a biological child. As if! As if Levi is a gift because we adopted a 'lesser' child? As if bio kids are better somehow?

    When we go back, we'll adopt older. We thought 4 was 'old' for our family, and it is, but we were able to witness the adoption of a girl aging out.

    Oh, the sheer JOY she had on her face to FINALLY have a family of her own. My normally stoic husband was heartbroken, and said when we go back, it will be for a child like her.

    Kuddos to you for stepping up to bat when the Lord gave you such an opportunity. I'm eagerly awaiting my next opportunity.

  21. Just a couple of days ago a long- time elderly gentleman friend of our family, made a comment to my 20 yr old bio. son that took me by surprise and really disappointed me. I wasn't focused on their conversation enough to catch all of it but He said something to the effect of…someone needed to do something to help me get over it and be done with raising kids. Well…not yet!
    KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT LINNY!!!
    Karen H.

  22. Standing with you Linny. Jesus is so happy with you, I'm sure you already know that. May we all be as bold as you and speak up for those whose voice is not heard.

  23. In tears, feeling so unworthy of being used to bring these children home KNOWING my own struggles!! I want to be bold…but feel like a hypocrite in so many ways….

  24. I am completely with you!
    After our failed adoption last spring because the little girl was too ill for us to complete the adoption, my dh and I felt that maybe adoption just wasn't for us… an often-used excuse. Shortly thereafter I became pregnant and am due in 3 months. Boy has God been working on us since then! Not only are we considering adopting only one child as we did before, but we are open to whatever God has planned and how many our home can hold. πŸ™‚ I'm looking forward to the birth of this child, but I'm equally excited to no longer be pregnant so we can complete our dossier. We're also a bit older (dh's almost 48), so time is not on our side.

    God is so good. Pray for those Christians that question, discourage and/or innocently believe adoption is "not for them." Pray that God will move in their hearts. His Holy Spirit sure did in ours!

    Blessings,
    Jen

  25. O Linny,

    Although my husbands still says no to adoption I am praying praying praying that his heart will soften! In the mean time I am sewing, sewing, sewing quilts for when you open your store! I will have many done for you when you say "the time is now"!
    Thank-you for so boldly fighting for the orphaned!! Gods heart is for them!!!

    Shanna

  26. I'm pretty sure that God has already told us to in His Word!! If not adopt, at least care for, support those who do. This makes me CRAZY!! The other one that makes me nuts is, "You never know what you will get!" I answer, "no, you don't, but I sure didn't have a guarantee with any of my biological children. Did you?" That shuts them right up. πŸ™‚ LOVE your heart. You go, girl! I'm right beside you, speaking truth in Iowa.
    Erin
    in process for a waiting child or 2! And sister of a wonderful, adopted brother!

  27. Oh Linny,
    It's so nice not to be alone in these endeavors. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one pleading for the orphan, saying things that make people uncomfortable. It can be a discouraging, lonely place. Thanks for your perserverance and persistence!

  28. Linny – Thought you might like to know that we found a ministry that is willing to work w/ my husband's deployment schedule and we get to start our fos/adopt training later this month! And we get to do it with friends from church who have already adopted out of the foster care program. Thank you for being a beacon of light guiding the way for us newbies. :o)

  29. AMEN!! Thank you so much Linny for posting this!!! It gets my blood boiling when people refuse to see the need, refuse to be challenged for the LORD, refuse to something for the 163 million precious children out there.

    Keep speaking, keep encouraging other to adoption..and I'll be doing my part.. caring for the small portion of that 163 million that I live with.

    May God continue to bless you and give you boldness to carry on in this race He has called you too!

  30. I heard about your upcoming trip to Uganda. My daughter is 18 and was suppose to go to Africa in December and it didn't happen. She has her passport, $ and her heart is so, so ready! Do you happen to have room/need for another person on your trip? We've praying for a door to open for her. ginalind@ymail.com
    gfornicoia.blogspot.com

  31. Like another commentor, I got chills reading this. And again while reading the comments! What makes it so wonderful for me is the timing. I (along with some friends) am in the planning stages of an orphan care awareness banquet on March 25. This post is a HUGE encouragement to not be shy or feel apologetic if some people become uncomfortable or even defensive. Yes, we want to be gracious, but we never need to apologize for speaking truth. BTW, consider yourself (anyone reading this comment =)) invited to this event! It's happening in eastern Penn. You can find more info. on my blog soon. And if any adoptive or foster parents are interested in coming and sharing their story, I'd love to hear from you! Blessings…

  32. Linny – AMEN!! I get it! I GET IT!! As another person in ministry with a ministry partner, it makes me nuts when ministry leaders bypass the whole issue, tell me they don't have enough money, cry big tears, but do NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING.

    We have lived almost our entire lives giving voices to the unborn and the orphan in ministry and are in the process of adopting our 2nd child on the smallest of ministry income. YES THEY CAN ADOPT! But no you may not be able to take the Disney vacation, the cruise or buy the next new car either. However, we will be able to face our Savior and say we did give it all. ALL!

    If only God could get ahold of more of those in ministry who could shout God's heart to those under their ministry. HE is waiting! Children are waiting!

  33. LOVE this!! My parents are older and just adopted two more! It wasn't our plan, but it was God's. And who are we to tell God "No"??

    I am only 18…but plan to advocate my whole life! For the sake of my four adopted siblings, and the 163 million orphans worldwide. I just cannot wait until I can start bringing home kids myself!

    I will rest eventually…once there are NO more orphans!!

    Thank you, thank you, Linny. You are an encouragment!

  34. Absolutely Amen!!! And the applause of Heaven was heard today!!! Oh Linny, you bless us so with your courage and your wit…and your unfailing love for the beloved Treasures of this world! Such Love! Such encouragement! Boldly we stand for the orphan. Lord use us…use our hands and feet…use our voices to courageously speak on their behalf…every day!! <3

    Make a Way
    "I will make all my mountains a way" (Isa.49:11)"

  35. Thanks for the reminder Linny. I'm a foster and adoptive mom and people tell me all the time that they could never do it. I always ask why not. There's nothing special about me. If I can do it I'm sure you can too.

    God did tell me:
    Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your curtains wide. Do not hold back. Isaiah 54:2 It was pretty clear.

  36. Thank you for the challenge. I definitely believe God is calling us all to help His children around the world but I'm just not sure I agree He is calling each of us to international adoption. I am 58 and my husband is 60. I'm involved heavily in a ministry called Operation Christmas Child and, by God's grace, was able to lead my area to pack 27,444 gift-filled shoeboxes to be distributed in other countries to share Jesus' love–and many of these go to orphans. I have space in my home but am not sure I have the strength to rear young children again. Are you SURE this is God's calling for EVERYONE? I've been donating money for others who are adopting to help them do this financially. Is that God's call for me?

  37. Good for you!! I don't even have my little one home yet, but I have already gotten in some pretty interesting conversations. I think people don't want to feel…guilty, maybe? People don't want to give up themselves or their comfortable life. Prayerfully we can all be examples and the Lord will use every one of us to bring others to adopt!

  38. Oh, it is so true! Sometimes I feel discouraged even from adoption organizations who seem to start every brochure or presentation with "not everyone is called to adopt . . ." really? Probably not, but so many times it sounds more like, only few are, or give some money and take an out. God "sets the lonely in families" that is our God! But how does He do that? Thru his hands and feet, thru His body. That means that WE are the families! US, Christ followers. I don't read anywhere in my scriptures "not everyone is called to adopt . . ."

  39. This truth is penetrating the hearts of my family members. I have read your blog to my 62 and 63 year old mom and dad, and they have officially begun the process to adopt from Uganda!

  40. May God continue to give you boldness, Linny. Your story has inspired my heart for the orphan.

    As for whether or not God tells us to adopt, I think the fact that there are 163 million orphans is His way of telling us to adopt.

  41. I had a pastor's wife/evangelist/outspoken woman of God who sings with a PASSION of Christ tell me almost the exact same thing! She has been very open to me about having more children, but her body just won't seem to let her. Of course, I mention adoption to her and she said, "Well, if the Lord tells me to." I said, "The Lord already did." She stumbled for words, but I don't think she really heard me.
    It's so frustrating, but we have to keep talking! Once you have been where we have been you can never go back! We've seen too much. We knew it before we went there, didn't we?

  42. Oh Linny,

    Praise God for your boldness! I have had that very conversation with others and it truly makes me sick and sad. Oh, how these words of ignorance must grieve our Father.

    One comment I got was, "Well there's a surgery to prevent biological babies. Your husband needs to find one to prevent adopted ones." I needed your quick thinking that day!

    Thanks for having the courage to speak for those who have no voice.

    Much Love,
    Kathie

  43. Well, yes. I often seem to hear that people would be open to adoption – if it were easy, if it were cheap, if it came with guarentees . . .

    We adopted our first child from China 2 years ago, and she is a complete joy. Honestly, we got an incredibly wonderful little girl. We were 54 and 58.

    We just got PreApproval to adopt a little girl with an uncorrected heart condition. We have insurance, but honestly, this is scary. I know too much about worst case senarios. But if someone doesn't step up for her, what then?

    My God has been so gracious to me. When it is time to see him face to face I don't want to go empty handed. I want to have been faithful

  44. PS – I don't actually think everyone should adopt – but probably more should than do.

    Still, not everyone is in a position finance or healthwise – or temprement wise.

    But there are many other ways to serve orphans and to improve their place in this world. There are wonderful organizations out there that need all the help they can get.

    I don't understand a Christianity that does not work and advocate for the unborn, the orphan, the widow, the downtrodden and the abused.

  45. Love love love this. Was standing in the lobby at the C4C retreat waiting for them to finish setting up for the 60foot movie and reading this aloud to the girls laughing out loud. πŸ™‚

  46. Why is it that people think for some reason what they say will change your mind about what you are ment to do… I have had so many people say to me I am so happy your family is complete. Why do they think just because in there minds we should be done, that we are. Ahhhh this post hit the spot! Thank you so much!!!

  47. Linny You and God gave me the courage to advicate for the orphane last night at Worship. My Sista Bambi and I were able to speak to a group of ladies that said that adoption was for the rich…… Little did they know that the orphans would make them richer than they ever new possible! It was amazing and I know that we planted a seed in these Ladies I felt it!!!!!! Thanks for your encouraging post! You inspire me to be a better Momma maybe to Many……. More praying for clarity and guidence.
    Your Sista in Christ,
    Kim from KC, mo

  48. Yay Linny!! Way to go!!

    I love it! I am about to say BUT I can't do that…
    But that doesn't quite work does it… ?
    Hmmm, I am going to have to pray for God's words to flow from my mouth on behalf of the orphan. I know what I think but shy away when it comes to speaking up-I shouldn't do that!!

    Well, I'm proud to be your friend!! You are an great example for the rest of us that are not speaking up!! You go girl!!

  49. as usual linny you make me stop, pause, and think…and now i must ACT.

    our church is wonderful! many have already adopted. BUT, i don't think they TALK about it, or encourage, or advocate! i think i might need to be the one to start that? you make us all so brave! i love how you talk about being His hands and feet on earth! how true!

    thanks so much!

  50. i was sitting on the front porch just now laughing out loud reading over this one! I don't mind answering these questions from people that I don't know if they are believers or not, but I too am growing weary and impatient with my fellow "brethren" who act all weird about the topic.

    I have also grown to absolutely hate with every ounce of my being the phrase, "I'm not called to do that". This is the biggest load of crap we as believers toss around and it really only means, I don't want to do that.

    I'd rather you say "i don't want to do that, or I don't understand why you do that", and have an honest conversation about the topic at hand instead of hiding behind a chicken phrase like that.

  51. Your boldness makes my heart so joyful! I pray we all might be so bold for these sweet children until they all have homes! Wouldn't it be nice to see that 163 million number go down?

  52. YES…I will be bold and fight for those children who wait day in and day out in orphanages and foster homes for a family of their own. May we NEVER stop until they are all home!!

  53. You're awesome! This blog just blessed my heart. My husband and I are about two weeks away from our dossier being complete, and we will be on the waiting list. This is our first adoption, and we are adopting from India. We are very excited. I'm so thankful for people like you who share your life and experiences to help encouarage others.

  54. Once again so Impressed!! We are always so careful not to step on the extremely long toes of our "fellow" christian being, aren't we?
    Jesus saw right through the pharisees and the 'sad-u-sees" of His day. Speak up and keep speaking up on behalf of those who don't have a voice! I can almost see a twinkle in the Lords eye as you said that la-la-la part lol πŸ™‚
    I so admire you!
    Carey

  55. Amazing how so many of my friends ask me how our adoption is coming along, and they go on to tell me that God just has not called them to do this.

    Now I know what to say to them.

    You are such an encouragement to me!

  56. But how do you do it like you did? With such grace and boldness?

    My mouth opens and it never comes out that way. You are so wise and seasoned. I want that.

    I wish I wasn't so intimidated by church leaders too. I am just a layperson you know? And when our church's leaders tell me "God hasn't called us to adopt." I just clam up. Who am I to tell them otherwise? I do disagree as His Word is not something we can pick and choose from, but they don't get it Linny. Or they don't care. I choose to believe the former b/c I once didn't get it. I don't think I didn't care; I just was ignorant.

    Can I link to this? I think you won't mind or you would have said. I am going to assume linking is OK.

    Thank you Linny for sharing and encouraging those of us younger and not as mature in our faith to seek God in all of this. I am working on my next post for NHBO and I am terrified I am going to mess it up and not SHINE. Prayers appreciated!

    Hugs, Leslie

  57. Just wanted to let you know for the first time ever (ok maybe not the first time but definitely one of the few times) I got ZERO likes or comments on a FB update. Yup, that would be the one that linked to this post…. coincidence? I think not. Press on dear friend. Press on.

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