Crazy things happen

Crazy things happen when you say yes to God. Sometimes those crazy things come in the form of physical, provisional, and financial blessings; then sometimes those crazy things come in the form of heartaches and trials. I think any one that has made a decision to follow Christ radically can say that at some point in their experience they have had all of the above happen in some way shape or form.

That said two passages have weighed heavily on my heart this week. The first James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Actually this verse has weighed heavily on Carl's and my heart for a long time. It is a passage that we have been praying, and praying about for what seems like a very very long time. We have considered and prayed about how to work out this passage in our lives. About a year ago we made the decision that we would pursue either adopting a child or fostering a child, or both depending on the need of the child brought into our lives. And so we have decided to become foster parents. We haven't even begun the training classes, and yet we have already felt like since the moment it became a reality that we could "actually" pursue it crazy things have happened.

Which brings about the 2nd passage laid heavily on my heart this week. Ephesian 6:10"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,"

Crazy things happen when someone decides to follow Jesus no matter what the cost. When I first became a believer crazy things happened in my life. I felt more alone in this world but I faced my new life with a sense of peace and security that I never had before. I lost friends, gained some new ones, had shaky family relationships, and learned to persevere to have even stronger family relationships later on. I felt the fear of uncertainty in so many areas...but I saw God work and move in ways I could not have done on my own.

Crazy things are happening now. We became determined to find a way to become Foster parents this year even though (at the time) we had no extra income, had cut every possible budget item we could, and still could not afford a bigger place to live, or even prove that we were financially stable enough to be Foster parents...but we prayed, and prayed, and prayed. God gave Carl a new job, we had to move to Indy but we are finally at a place financially in the states eyes to foster. Carl had less than a week to make a decision to move to take the job...well we're here so obviously he decided to take it ;) Anyways, not even a day after the move I came down with a serious UTI, Kidney infections, and bladder infection...most pain i've ever been in and yes it some ways it was worse than labor...and I know labor I've been in it before...lol.
 Carl's job is crazy, he works long hours, has a ton of work to do and is trying to grasp how to get it all done in the amount of time that he has to do it all. Despite all of this we decided to go ahead and make the call to get the ball rolling on becoming Foster Parents. As it can take some time to get the training done ect to be licensed. The day after I made the call to a foster agency my husband has a life threatening reaction to a an antibiotic for a sinus infection...? Coincidence? I think not.  The passage in Ephesians that I had read earlier in the week encouraged me in the midst of the trial of waiting to know whether or not my husband was really going to live. Crazy things happen.

I know that even still more crazier things are going to happen. Not all of those crazy things will mean a trip to the E.R. and 2night stay in the ICU ect...I have faith that some of those crazy things are going to be seen in the form of hospital bills paid, grace at Carl's job given, bigger car provided...ect and in none of it will we be able to boast and say "we did it." but we will say "God did it."

I love verse 10 in Ephesians 6. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" 

My family in our own might and strength can not do all the necessary things that need to be done in order to bring a hurting child into our home. But God can.

Crazy things happen and it's nice to see crazy things happen in my life both the good crazies and the not so good crazies....

Crazy things happen so" be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might "