Blog Archives - the unexpected good

Made to Be Mother to the Motherless

2/27/2015

My journey toward an adoption mindset started a long time ago, but I didn’t realize it until I watched Hotel Rwanda.

I’d heard about adoption often. My friend told me that I should read Adopted for Life by Russell D. Moore, and asked me to help her brainstorm about how to begin a foundation that might be able to help families afford the cost of adoption. Another friend had a heart to work with orphans in third-world countries. A couple in my church, after years of infertility, successfully adopted an adorable little girl. Some friends of ours adopted multiple times from all over the world, combining a family of children with Asian, African, Hispanic, and Caucasian roots. My work at a crisis pregnancy center put me into contact with adoption agencies in the area, since adoption is a beautiful (and often undervalued) option for women facing unplanned pregnancies.

I had always considered adoption a wonderful thing, but it didn’t personally impact me until about a year ago.

Two Things Winter Taught Me

2/21/2015

Enjoy the Season.

This morning I stared through the window above my kitchen sink, observing the new white dusting of snow on the hill across the neighbor’s field.

“I was thinking I might sled today,” I told my sister. “But then I looked at the thermometer and realized that it is negative six degrees. No thank you.”

My sister leaned against the sink. “But just a few years ago, it didn’t matter how cold it was: we all found reasons to be outside, chugging up that hill, sliding down it. We would do anything for fun.”

5 Lies About Singleness (Part 2 of 2)

2/20/2015

LIe #3: Singleness is a character builder.

Why do I have to clean the bathroom?” the little girl pouts. “Why do I have to work in the garden? Why do I have to put off playing until I’ve done my homework?”

Her father glances up from his newspaper and replies loftily, “It builds character, honey.”

We often think of our singleness in terms of character-building.

5 LIes About Singleness (Part 1 of 2)

2/16/2015

1. Singleness is a period of probation or parole.

When criminals get out of jail, they sometimes go through a period of parole, during which they are technically free, but are still accountable to a parole officer. There are certain terms of parole that they must follow, such as staying within the limits of a certain location or maintaining a record clean of offenses. If they follow the rules diligently, in time, they have less and less oversight and eventually reenter society fully.

Stones of Remembrance: Recalling God's Goodness

2/13/2015

My memory is very selective: It is short for blessings and long for frustrations. I remember the times when I have been uncomfortable, embarrassed, angry, or upset, yet I quickly forget the times that prayers were answered, catastrophes were averted, and tokens of God’s love were revealed.

A friend of mine reminded me of the importance of “remembering your stones.” This idea comes from Joshua 4:1-7.

LIfe is All About Relationships

2/10/2015

I have been learning recently that life is all about relationships. That’s the purpose of life, the task of life, and the point on which judgment will be based.

First, life is about my relationship with Christ.

When I say this, I don’t mean that I need to simply believe in Jesus Christ, though it is important. The Bible reports that the demons believe in Jesus Christ (James 2:19). Does that mean that they are saved? No.

When GOd is Silent

2/6/2015

This is intended as a follow-up to “When God Says No.”

When God says “no,” the struggle can be intense, but, in some cases, it is a relief. At least God answered clearly. At least you can process through your emotions and have closure. But when God says nothing, the struggle continues. There is no closure.

What is a right response to no response?

When GOd Says No

2/3/2015

I have a confession to make: I don’t like it when God says no.

When I was in my middle teens, I wanted a dog, an old American-style Belgian Sheepdog, to be exact. I called, emailed, and negotiated with breeders. I researched tirelessly on the internet and in books. I calculated costs and saved up.

I spent two years on this dream. A few times, I was close to achieving my goal, only to have the opportunity fall through at the last minute. At last, it became painfully clear that my dream would not become a reality.