He Gathers His Lambs

Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting with a mom's group that has so blessed my life.  I meet once a month with amazing women in a prayer and fellowship group called "Homeschooling by Grace".  I can't even begin to explain the richness and humility I experience with these ladies.  Part of our time yesterday was spent reading and discussing Isaiah 52: 1-12.  Here are verses 9 and 10:   
⁹Break forth, shout joyfully together,
         You waste places of Jerusalem;
         For the LORD has comforted His people,
         He has redeemed Jerusalem.
    ¹⁰The LORD has bared His holy arm
         In the sight of all the nations,
         That all the ends of the earth may see
         The salvation of our God.

We spent a lot of time sharing our thoughts on the meaning of God's holy arm and His right hand.  There are many places in scripture where God reminds us of not only the strength and mighty power of His arm and right hand, but also the comfort that He gives us by drawing us near.  He gathers us with His holy arm.  He gathers His flock.  We are His lambs; His children whom He loves with a love we can't even begin to comprehend. 

This has remained on my heart for two days now.  It has brought to light even more a voice I believe is the Lord's calling us to grow His flock.  Not too long ago, I finished reading a book called Adopted for Life, by Russell D. Moore.  Paul and I have talked about, prayed about and pondered the possibility of adopting a child or children into our family.  At the beginning of our marriage, we had a vision of several children prancing about our home.  We have two amazing blessings, and I keep getting closer to the place of feeling that our family can grow with even more blessings, and be an instrument in growing God's family at the same time.  I'm truly not sure yet that this is what God has for us.  I'm praying a lot, and I am researching, and reading.

Lately, I can't help but see what I think might be signs from God that adopting might be in His plans for us.  I even feel that bringing us to our new church home may be part of this journey.  We are blessed to know two families from church who have adopted beautiful children from China and Africa.  Another family has been on the same path that we are, in terms of researching and preparing spiritually and emotionally for adoption.  After all, we are all adopted into the family of Christ.  We should all have a heart for adoption in some way, shape, or form.  Evident Life adopted us into their family without a bat of an eye.  Our church is beyond doubt a church with a heart for adoption.

God is so good, and has recently brought us through stormy seas.  We sold our home through a short sale, because Paul had been a "casualty" of the faltering economy.  God sustained us and abundantly provided for us, and we are not homeless.  Nor do we lack for food, warmth, or comfort.  The Lord has provided a new job for Paul, and a fresh start for our family.  How can I not want to bring another of God's lambs into the joy and mercy that has been shown to us?  How can I not want to raise another child to know and commune with the Lord?!?!

I pray that Paul and I truly surrender to God, and that we are still, so that we can listen to His voice.  He will let us know where to go next.