We said goodbye.
Again.
A few years ago we stood on the shore and decided to step into the water. And now we find ourselves out in the deep once again. I take a deep breath of spiritual air and hold it as long as I am able.
These are the more difficult goodbyes. Because honestly, we don’t know. We don’t know where they go. We don’t know where they’ll be. We don’t know if we’ll see them again in this life or even the next.
So I pray for faith to trust … to walk out to the deeper waters and let go. The waves are present and very visible. It’s so easy to fear. It’s such a struggle to say “it is well with my soul” and mean it. Only the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob can provide such peace.
I stand before You now, the greatness of Your renown.
I have heard the majesty and wonder of You.
King of Heaven, in humility, I bow
as Your love, in wave after wave crashes over me, crashes over me.
For You are for us; You are not against us.
Champion of Heaven, You made a way for all to enter in.
I have heard You calling my name; I have heard the song of love that You sing.
So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore into Your grace.
I have heard the majesty and wonder of You.
King of Heaven, in humility, I bow
as Your love, in wave after wave crashes over me, crashes over me.
For You are for us; You are not against us.
Champion of Heaven, You made a way for all to enter in.
I have heard You calling my name; I have heard the song of love that You sing.
So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore into Your grace.
You make me brave! You make me brave!
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves.
You make me brave! You make me brave!
No fear can hinder now the love that made a way.
No fear can hinder now the promises You made.
You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail.
And there I find You in the mystery.
In oceans deep, my faith will stand.
Your grace abounds in deepest waters.
Your sovereign hand will be my guide where feet may fail and fear surrounds me.
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now.
And there I find You in the mystery.
In oceans deep, my faith will stand.
Your grace abounds in deepest waters.
Your sovereign hand will be my guide where feet may fail and fear surrounds me.
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now.
And I will call upon Your name,
and keep my eyes above the waves.
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace.
For I am Yours and You are mine.
and keep my eyes above the waves.
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace.
For I am Yours and You are mine.
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me.
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. For by it the people of old received God’s commendation. By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible.
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, for he persevered as though he could see the one who is invisible
After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant: Moses my servant is dead. Get ready! Cross the Jordan River! Lead these people into the land which I am ready to hand over to them. I am handing over to you every place you set foot, as I promised Moses… As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone.
Be strong and brave!
Make sure you are very strong and brave! Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful in all you do.
I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic …
Be strong and brave!
Make sure you are very strong and brave! Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful in all you do.
I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic …
for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.
Unchained Melodye 
Donna Moore
You are brave to except the mission of fostering. All that we have and are, that is good, is His gift. Our Creator, Sustainer, Giver of life, and our Abba is watching over you and the precious ones that you’ve watched over, and had the honor and privilege to care for.
I love that Joshua, the warrior and new leader, had to have his courage reinforced by the loving Father multiple times.
Joshua 1:5 I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake. ( even in the darkness or in the lowest of valleys)
6 Be strong and if good courage…
7 Only be strong and very courageous….do not turn to the right hand or the to the left…
(Stay on the path that I have set before you, My path)
9 Be strong and if good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
We just don’t have bravery, strength, or courage apart from the Lord, these are enabling gifts.
2 Corinthians10:3-5. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…..
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is in your midst. The Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Today, I watched an interview with Elizabeth Elliot and she said sing,sing, sing to His praises, because the devil hates it. I am going to start practicing it again….
I too have been in a down place for a great many reasons, but it has helped me tonight sharing with you.
The effectual fervent prayer of righteous man (or woman) avails much. Your prayers over these children that you have the opportunities to pour Jesus’ love and care into, will avail much in their little lives. The Lord works in ways we cannot fathom.
Father God, I pray that You will let Your Holy Spirit wash over Melodye fresh and anew with Your grace, comfort and strength.
I pray for the little beloved ones that she has cared for that You will place people into their life’s path to continue to share the love and care of Jesus for the plan that you have for them is good and not for failure or calamity.
I pray a hedge of protection around them with Your mighty warrior angels.
I pray for the birth parents that they will surrender their hearts, minds, and lives to Jesus, where they will find peace, direction, and purpose for their lives. I pray for their deliverance from the strongholds of the enemy. I pray that You will surround them with believers to love, care, and witness to them.
Thank You Father that You are working all things to our good for we are called according to your purpose. You’re a good, good Father.
Thank You for Your mercy and grace. I ask this prayer in Jesus’ strong name. Amen.
Finally, there is an older book called, Just Enough Light For the Step I’m On by Stormie O’Martian. Thought you might like it.
In His Love and Service, your friend in Christ.
LikeLike