Together In The JourneySample

Banner of Love

“She walked (staggeringly) over to the window and pointed out. She said something we could not understand; I assume it was in her native Gujarati language. This was the first time we heard her say anything in a different language. But she got her point across; clearly she was calling for someone else. It almost sounded like Momma, but it wasn’t. I’m not sure what the word was in the midst of her bawling, but I bet she was calling out for her caregiver.

She sobbed uncontrollably. She even began to try to take her dress off. She was making it very clear, without speaking English, that she was saying, “I don’t want you or your stuff. I want to go back to everything I know.” (Chapter 10)

It was hard to watch my child hurting. Sometimes, I think I might have fooled myself into thinking everything was going to be grand when we finally got her in our arms—that everything would almost be like a fairytale. But just like in our Christian walk, we experience many trials and sufferings, and it will be the same in the adoption process.

I don’t know why I would expect anything to be different, because every adopting family becomes a beautiful picture of God’s redemption plan, which comes with sacrifice, sufferings, and sanctification. As I watched my child throw some terrible tantrums and long for her orphanage instead of her loving and secure family, I could see myself and my relationship with God.

He has such better places and plans in store for me. He is security and unconditional love, yet I still throw tantrums when I don’t get my way, and I long for things of the flesh and of this world.

Just as I sat by and waited patiently for my daughter to come to me for comfort after she finished with her little fits of rage and sadness, He does the same for me and you. He wants us to come into His arms and be comforted in the midst of hardship. He wants us to long and yearn for the eternal things versus the temporal things of this world.

He wants to sing a song of deliverance to you and wash over you with a spirit of peace that surpasses all understanding. He is right there, walking with you, holding your hand, fighting the enemy, and even sometimes carrying you through battle. Take heart even when you might find yourself flat on your back. Look up, His banner over you is love.

Can you recall a time in your life when you felt God sustaining you through a difficult time? Commit that to memory today. Raise it as a banner of His love over your current situation. Claim God's promise to be with you through this journey.