What really matters?

Firstly, apologies for the blog ‘diversion’.  It just makes it easier for us to update. I hope you found it ok.

Recently, I’ve been reading a book called, ‘The Incredible Journey’, with our youngest daughter. (We’ve had to miss out a few of the more scary/gory bits!) Unexpectedly, the Lord has used it to challenge my thinking. For those of you who haven’t read it, it’s a story about 2 dogs and a cat, who travel hundreds of miles across some of Canada’s most inhospitable terrain to be reunited with their master. They are often attacked, half starved & half drowned: occasionally they stumble across humans who feed & tend them, make them comfortable & offer them a home. But the animals, particularly the leader, Luath, a young Labrador Retriever , are unyielding in their determination to make it back to their master, and only ever stay in a place long enough to gain strength for the remainder of the journey. The final pages of the book were very emotional, as the writer describes the animals, exhausted, skinny & with many battle scars, being reunited with their master. And, because they were with him & finally safe, nothing else seemed to matter.

We’ve been having a challenging time recently. Occasionally I have questioned the sensibility of a second adoption. I’m not an adventurer by nature. I prefer to be safe & comfortable! While we were reading this book, I was aware that when the animals found safety, warmth etc., I was inwardly urging them to stay put & give up on the journey!  I am conscious that I easily lose sight of my ultimate destination; to be reunited with my Heavenly Father, and hopefully hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.

 When we are called to intervene in the lives of damaged and hurting children, in an attempt to bring some of God’s healing into their lives, we are entering enemy territory. We shouldn’t be surprised that we come under fire, but I confess I often forget that and wonder why my life is a little difficult at times! ‘The incredible journey’ reminded me that, whilst  I may well collect battle scars along the way, and become exhausted from time to time,  I must only rest for long enough to gain strength for the rest of the journey. I must not give in to the temptation to trade comfort for pursuing God’s calling.

The second thing that struck me whilst we were reading this book, is the importance of travelling companions. The animals in the story, though all completely different, were the most loyal of companions, defending and protecting each other despite all the odds. When we travel alone we become very vulnerable. I am so thankful to God for my adoption companions. In our church we have a prayer group especially for adoptive families. It’s so good to meet with others who are travelling the same path of faith & also the same path of adoption. If you don’t yet have companions for your journey, I would urge you to ask God to show you who they might be. Together we are stronger!

 Phillipians 3:13&14 forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

I pray that each of us will find the strength to press on J