We have each just offered a lung and kidney for thorough medical analysis, have used antibacterial soap on every square inch of our home — including our lab's chew toys, and have sworn on the graves our ancestors that we will be good parents. Okay, it's not that bad. We are in the midst of the "paper chase," which includes criminal background checks, a financial study, complete physicals, meetings at our home with a social worker, as well as the gathering of other important documents.
Last week, I ordered some needed copies of my birth certificate from the fine state of Tennessee (i.e. the Holy Land), selected overnight shipping and was hopeful to see them soon. UPS tried to deliver three consecutive days (at the same time, of course) and missed us each time. A little inconvenient, but not a big deal. I had to drive 30 minutes to the UPS distribution center in Watertown, WI, where my wife and I went to Bible college and where my parents presently live and serve the Lord.
"Package for Marriott, please" I said, upon entering the facility. As the employee finished up some paperwork, I started to explain to her, "I had to order some birth certificates because my wife and I are adopting a child from Ethiopia." She seemed genuinely interested and so for the next several minutes I was able to explain to her that adoption was our "plan A" for growing our family and that we were motivated to do this because our spiritual adoption into God's family was His "plan A" at an incredible cost, the cross-resurrection of His own Son, Jesus Christ. She said some kind things and handed me the package. I was almost to the car when I heard, "Wait!" I turned around as she continued, "Are you Miriam's son?"
As an almost eery feeling crept over my body, I was thinking, "Why, yes I am Miriam's son, but how in the world does this woman know that?" Honestly, though, I should not have been surprised at all, since my Mom meets everyone, literally everyone that she comes across — gas station attendants, grocery store clerks, flight attendants, medical receptionists, etc. But she doesn't just meet them and introduce herself to them; she also introduces them to Her Savior, Jesus Christ.
I rejoined the kind lady in the store and listened as my new friend told me how she and my mom had been coworkers at a nursing home 30 years ago when my mom was still in college. She recounted how my mom had befriended her, cared about her, and talked with her about the Lord. Apparently, she had bumped into mom 2 years ago at a craft fair, had taken her email address down, and then placed it into her checkbook. "Every time I write a check, I think about reaching out to your mom," she explained. I urged her to call my mom, assured her that my mom's offer to get together was beyond genuine, and expressed how thankful I was to have met her. She concluded, "If I ever thought I was receiving a sign from God, today is that day."
Imagine how encouraged my Mom was to hear that God was still using the seed of her witness — some 30 years later! I was reminded that one sows, one waters, but God gives the increase. We must never underestimate how God can work through our words and lives to bring forth fruit even many years later. God can save anyone, at any time, through the most unexpected means, and from the most surprising seeds — even 30 year old ones. We must not grow weary in well-doing!
Throughout our entire adoption process so far, we have prayed that our adoption would be a sort of "first-fruits," that other Christians would be moved by God to participate in orphan care and that unbelievers would be adopted in God's family through Jesus Christ!
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