Tag: Ephesians

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Faith Journey-Day 13

Day 13- Are You Sure About That?!

Making faith decisions that are unpopular are hard. Yesterday, we learned that our God cannot be confined to cultural or even expert opinions.

But what about our own mental blocks on our Faith Journey? What about the times we were so certain that our way was right, we convinced ourselves that it must be God’s plan?

I shared in Day 9 how we became connected to “The Parent Infant Hearing Impaired Program.” I had built such a strong relationship with the Deaf Education teacher, Kathy, that came to our home 3 times a week to teach Ryan and I Sign Language.

This program is for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children ages birth through three. Well, Ryan was now three years old. That meant we had to begin to navigate the IEP (Individual Education Plan) process. An IEP was for all students that needed specialized learning exceptions within the school system. Kathy prepared me as best she could for our pending IEP meeting and gave me information to read about being your child’s advocate.

I had the option to keep Ryan at home and continue with Kathy or enroll him in a pre-K class especially for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. I was warned by Kathy that the IEP team (who didn’t even know my Ryan) would be giving their expert opinions on why it would be best to enroll Ryan in pre-K early instead of continuing to teach him at home.

WELL…I was having none of that. Expert opinions???!!They were NOT experts about my child. Ryan was too young to go to school. He needed me. He was still using his walker. Yep! I was prepared for this IEP meeting and ready to stand my ground!

The day of the meeting, I took an 8 x 10 picture of Ryan and placed it in the center of the table. I said, “if we are going to be discussing, based on your expert opinions, what’s best for Ryan Caleb Smith; I wanted you to have a visual image of him.” They were taken a back somewhat but continued on with their agenda. I stated my position of continuing education at home until Ryan was older. I stood my ground and they finally relented. Victory! Must be God’s plan, right?!

The teacher of the pre-K and kindergarten Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing class made her way around the table to me as the others were finishing paperwork. Her name was Katie. She said she fully supported my decision and understood completely. She did make an offer for Ryan and I to visit her classroom for summer school. She explained that it would be a great opportunity for Ryan to socialize with other hearing impaired children who signed.

That was a reasonable offer, I thought. It might be good for Ryan to be around other kids that were able to sign with him. A couple of weeks later, I packed Ryan and I lunch and we headed off to summer school together.

I was blown away by Katie, her assistant (Sandy), and these amazing children. Katie was a human, signing “Barney.” She was animated with her signs and facial expressions. She kept the kids attention during story and calendar time. Ryan was mesmerized by her and so was I. We had a wonderful time.

I decided we would go back to summer school the next day…together. I was treating it kind of like a “mommy and me” date. However, Ryan had other plans. We opened the classroom door, Ryan rolled in with his walker, signed “I Love You, Bye-Bye,” and shut the door in my face.

Ms. Sandy quickly opened the door and saw my stunned expression and gave me a hug. “He’ll be fine…why don’t you come back in an hour. If we need you, we’ll call you,”  she chuckled and shut the door. So, still a little stunned and hurt, quite frankly. I left Ryan at school.

When I returned to pick him up, Ryan did not want to leave. He signed, “school, tomorrow…yes.” Well…that was that! Much to my shock and against what I just knew was best…I swallowed my pride, contacted the IEP lead, and enrolled Ryan in school at age 3.

Ron and I had a good laugh about the school incident over dinner that night. We both realized that parenting Ryan was going to be a long string of situations where God was going to have to re-direct us.

Ryan thrived under the teaching of Ms. Katie and Ms. Sandy. I did too. They taught me so much. I am so grateful the Master Dot-Connector was still actively leading us to the right people to accomplish his plan in our lives.

 

  • Read Ephesians 3:14-21

In the midst of trials, what does Paul pray that we will comprehend?

 

  • Write out verse 20 and 21:

 

 

What is The Lord able to do in and through your life?

 

 

“…abundantly beyond what we ask or think according to His power that works within us.”

Be open to His change of direction in your life. Be willing to release what you thought was good in exchange for His best. I would have missed a huge blessing in mine and Ryan’s life if I had continued to be dogmatic with my idea of right.

I wonder how many blessings we miss because of pride…refusal to change or admit we were wrong? Change is inevitable. Let God be the Way-Changer in your life. Don’t get so stuck on your idea of good, that you miss God’s best.

Pray for boldness to set aside pride and humble yourself when needed. Be open to His change of direction. You won’t be disappointed.

Lifting you up before the throne today. Onward, sister!

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Faith Journey-Day 3

Day 3- The Master Dot Connector

Yesterday’s devotion was about self-imposed “extreme guilt syndrome” and/or a heart check regarding sin. Difficult, I know. But, so necessary to our faith journey with The Lord.

Today, we will celebrate His active work in our lives as the Master Dot Connector! I am sure there are seasons in which we feel overwhelmed by what seems like random chaos in our lives. You can be confident, there is absolutely nothing random about our God. He was actively orchestrating His Master Dot Connecting skills in our lives even before we were born.

I am adopted. My parents tried for six years to have children of their own. At their last appointment, the doctor told them that he had exhausted all options. He, then,  handed my mom a piece of paper containing the name and number of an adoption agency.

Six months later, they adopted me into their family. I love God’s divine plan but, also, snicker at  His sense of humor. Nine months after bringing me home, my mom was pregnant with my middle sister. And four years after that…OOPS! She was pregnant with my baby sister. My dad, bless his heart, was overrun with females. Even our dogs were female.

I always knew I was adopted. My parents did not keep that a secret from me. I was never made to feel “lesser than” my sisters. Through the years, I had questions about my birth parents and all the natural inquisitions about who I might look like. However, I was simply curious. It was never because I felt unloved or unwanted.

At age 18, my mom and I started a search for my birth parents with the adoption agency… nothing came of it. And life went on. I started college, married Ron, and then our Ryan came storming into our lives.

At around 3 months old, Ryan  had an  appointment with a geneticist. The purpose of this visit was to see if Ryan’s heart condition might be connected to a syndrome.

I was not prepared for the litany of questions regarding mine and Ron’s familial health history. I sat and listen intently as Ron recalled his family history to the best of his recollection. Then it was my turn…I had nothing. I explained that I was adopted and had no medical history. The geneticist’s next words hit me like a brick, “it might be time to have your birth records unsealed.” That just seemed like and overwhelming and daunting task at that time.

After the appointment, Ron went back to work and I headed home with a very tired and irritable Ryan. Maybe The Lord sensed my mounting stress…and decided to unburden me. Of course, I can only speculate on that. But, His timing was certainly awe-worthy to say the least, because that afternoon my phone rang,

“Hello, I’m not sure if you remember me but you and you mom started a search for your birth parents with our agency several years ago. We have just put in place a new search program for those wanting to find their biological parents and you came to my mind. I have found your birth mother and she is anxious to speak with you. Would you like her phone number?”

Ummm…YES, please!

This sweet lady at the agency had no idea how her obedience to the Holy Spirit’s prompting would lighten this girl’s load and minster to my spirit. I was able to share with her just what amazing timing she had through the Lord. She was a Christian and we shared a sweet time of prayer together before we hung up the phone.

That evening with my mom and hubby present, I called my biological mom, Ann. We talked for a long time. We shared and cried, shared and cried. Ann carried a huge amount of guilt about giving me up for adoption. I was able to unburden her heart by reassuring her that I had been given a wonderful life and God used her unselfish act of love to place me exactly where He desired.

I was, also, relieved to learn that there were no extreme health issues that she was aware of on her side of the family. Whew!

Ann lived in Ohio. But, we kept in touch by sharing letters and pictures back and forth for several years. Finally, through circumstances too lengthy to share, we were able to meet face to face for the first time at her home in Ohio.

I was able to have some time alone with Ann and her husband, Wylie. I took the opportunity to thank her in person for her selfless gift of love through adoption. I went on to share with them about my second adoption…into the Family of God. “Ann and Wylie, I don’t know what the future holds. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. But, if we never see each other again here on earth, it’s my prayer that we will see each other again in heaven one day. Can I tell you about my Jesus?”

Ann and Wylie accepted Christ that day. It was a precious time that I will cherish always. They have both gone home to be with Jesus. I am so grateful that I will see them again one day in Glory.

I know beyond all doubt that The Lord connected my adoption to the birth of my sweet Ryan. And then, circled back around to meeting and sharing Jesus with Ann and Wylie. He’s the Master Dot Connector, that’s just what He does.

My God-story is not unique. Each of us has a Master Dot Connector testimony. Let’s take time to be in awe of His great work in our lives and in the lives of those we love. Nothing happens by chance…He orchestrates it ALL.

  • Read Ephesians 1

What does it mean to be chosen in Him before the foundations of the earth (vs 4)?

 

Are you “adopted” by God? Take a minute to share your testimony of your salvation (adoption) experience.

 

 

Read back over it and praise Him for His redeeming, dot connecting work in your life that led to your salvation. If you are reading this and you do not have a God adoption story, please contact me below.

 

Think about the dots The Lord has connected in your life? Relationships, opportunities to share Jesus, compassion connections, ministry connections, adoption, birth stories, friendships, job opportunities, mission trips, and etc. Write down a few.

 

These connections are ministry. The Lord is living and active in our lives. He takes what we see as randomness and connects the dots. There are people in our lives that are meant to be a blessing to us and then there are people we are meant to bless. Each God-connection is ordained. Yes, even the EGR (Extra Grace Required) people God has strategically placed in your life.

Pray, today, that the “eyes of your heart” will be enlightened to His consistent and amazing work in your life. That you will know and walk into the hope of your calling, sweet sister.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe…” Ephesians 1:18-19

I’m praying for you!