The Story of Gideon. . .

I remember on the night that we decided to start praying about adoption, that we discussed the story of Gideon.  Gideon was one of the judges of Israel, but that's not where he started.  He started as just a man who loved Yahweh.  God called him to save his beloved Israel who were worshiping false gods.  Gideon didn't think he was cut out for the job, so he asked God for a sign.  Here's how the story went in Judges 6-8. . . . .

"How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest of all Israel, and I am the weakest of my clan!" cried Gideon. "If this is true, give me a sign."
That night, Gideon prayed to God and said, "Father, if you are really going to use me to save my nation, make the dew form on just this fleece and keep the grass around it dry."

He placed a wool fleece on the ground and went to bed. The next morning when he awoke, he checked the fleece. It was so wet, he wrung a bowl of water from it and the grass around it was dry.

That night he asked God, "Dear God, please don't be mad at me. I want to be sure you are going to use me to save my people. Tonight, make the fleece dry, and the grass around it wet." He placed the wool fleece on the ground and went to bed. When he awoke the next morning, he picked up the fleece. It was as dry as popcorn without butter and his bare feet were soaked with water from the grass. It was true, God was going to use him to save Israel.

There were serious doubts in our minds.  We certainly didn't think we were cut out to start over with another kid.  Our schedules were full.  We both work full time.  We had two other boys to consider.  We didn't know how we would pay for it.  We needed confirmation of the Gideon kind, and so we just asked for it.  Maybe not a fleece, but perhaps a billboard.  My sister graciously offered to put one on I-85 if that would help.  =)

Well. . . the joke was on us.  Turns out that the thirty days we committed to pray during the month of November was Adoption Awareness Month.  Adoption messages on billboards, facebook, the radio, TV, etc.  begin to hit us from all sides.  Orphan Sunday happened at church and they showed this video. Warning: do not watch unless you want a swift kick in the pants. :)  

http://vimeo.com/25816432

The hits kept coming, and they all culminated  when one of our pastors preached one of those sermons where he could have just dismissed everyone else and just preached to the two of us.  Anyone else ever had that happen to them?  It was if God was speaking directly to us in audible language.  Freaky!!  

We have been going through 2 Corinthians, and that week we talked about Paul and his ministry in Troas.  God had opened big doors for him there.  He was feeling effective in ministry.  God was present.  But. . . he was brokenhearted for the Corinthians, so instead of staying put, he traveled to Macedonia to meet Titus for reassurance about his brothers and sisters in Corinth.

^{2 Corinhians 2:12-14}When I arrived in Troas to proclaim the Message of the Messiah, I found the place wide open: God had opened the door; all I had to do was walk through it. But when I didn't find Titus waiting for me with news of your condition, I couldn't relax. Worried about you, I left and came on to Macedonia province looking for Titus and a reassuring word on you. And I got it, thank God! 

That's where we were.  Comfortable.  Doors were open.  Ministry was effective.  The boys were well adjusted and doing just fine.  Why would we even consider leaving the comfort and security that we had, and invite in chaos and uncertainty.  Well. . . Paul said it best. . . this is why. . .


^{2 Corinthians 2:14-16}In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life.

It was clear that this certainly wasn't about us and what we wanted.  It was about God, and spreading his fame.  In the truck after church with tears in our eyes, we committed to start walking through doors.   That was eight days into our 30 day prayer commitment.  We heard as clearly as Gideon did that we should move. . . so we did.