Lessons in the Darkness
REFLECTION
Many of you know that we’ve been in a long season of waiting. It’s been 6 years since we said yes to adoption and began the process to add to our family.
In April of 2023, we were matched with our son, Armel, and were told we would travel to bring him home by April 2024. Due to many delays and complications out of our control, we haven’t been able to travel yet to Burundi to bring him home. The days that add up to weeks, months, and years of waiting have caused doubt, questioning, and heartache. Yet, the lessons learned in the darkest of days have taught us all things that a pain-free, easy life never could have.
We, as a family, have felt the peace that can only come from God. We’ve learned to trust His timing even when it doesn’t make sense. We gave up the illusion that we are actually in control of anything. None of this could have happened in a life of favorable, easy circumstances.
Dare we say, the lessons learned through the darkness have made us better, have made us more like Jesus, have made us better equipped to come alongside others in a season of darkness with empathy and kindness. The treasures of time in suffering, waiting, and darkness are never wasted. We surely wouldn’t seek them on our own, but as they arise, we know He will always make it matter in our stories, for His glory!
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 45:3 “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.”
PRAYER
Lord, Thank you for the way that you tenderly come alongside us in our dark seasons. We know that you are faithful and trust in your perfect timing. For those of us in a dark season or a season of waiting, may we cling to the hope that you will bring light and treasures that can only be seen in the darkness. Remind us that you don’t waste anything and that it can all be used for good. Help us to live open handed with our lives and our unique circumstances, trusting you, clinging to you, seeking you and the treasure that you have for us in our darkest days.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Many of you know that we’ve been in a long season of waiting. It’s been 6 years since we said yes to adoption and began the process to add to our family.
In April of 2023, we were matched with our son, Armel, and were told we would travel to bring him home by April 2024. Due to many delays and complications out of our control, we haven’t been able to travel yet to Burundi to bring him home. The days that add up to weeks, months, and years of waiting have caused doubt, questioning, and heartache. Yet, the lessons learned in the darkest of days have taught us all things that a pain-free, easy life never could have.
We, as a family, have felt the peace that can only come from God. We’ve learned to trust His timing even when it doesn’t make sense. We gave up the illusion that we are actually in control of anything. None of this could have happened in a life of favorable, easy circumstances.
Dare we say, the lessons learned through the darkness have made us better, have made us more like Jesus, have made us better equipped to come alongside others in a season of darkness with empathy and kindness. The treasures of time in suffering, waiting, and darkness are never wasted. We surely wouldn’t seek them on our own, but as they arise, we know He will always make it matter in our stories, for His glory!
SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 45:3 “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.”
PRAYER
Lord, Thank you for the way that you tenderly come alongside us in our dark seasons. We know that you are faithful and trust in your perfect timing. For those of us in a dark season or a season of waiting, may we cling to the hope that you will bring light and treasures that can only be seen in the darkness. Remind us that you don’t waste anything and that it can all be used for good. Help us to live open handed with our lives and our unique circumstances, trusting you, clinging to you, seeking you and the treasure that you have for us in our darkest days.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer \\\'24
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3 Comments
Melissa-
nThank you so very much for your transparency. Had no idea of your family’s struggles.
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nThank you for opening my eyes to Isaiah 45:3.
nAlways amazing how after studying the Bible for decades a verse can catch me by surprise as if reading it for the first time.
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nSo thankful we serve a mighty God who meets us and strengthens us in the darkness and who gives us special treasures and riches we can receive only through the darkness. ?
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Thank you Melissa for sharing some of the realities that the adoption process can have on the family that is waiting. We can relate to some of what you have experienced. The verse is a powerful reminder that what we experience should be seen as an opportunity for us to know that he is Lord of all, especially in our darkest times.
None of us volunteer for God’s Waiting room. Yet it is absolutely the best area for preparation and growth for His greatest blessings. Thanks for sharing this. We are praying with the House of Romanini and our church fam. God has already gone before you in this.