Those are the words my heart has been reciting the past few days since my last train ride with a friend, Amanda, to Delhi.
More on that later though.
It is a late night but I just want to say that all is well on the homefront.
My hands are a bit tired at the moment.
A day spent peeling vegetables.
Washing my baby.
Attempting to entertain 4 growing boys here to visit.
But He makes feeble knees and hands able.
And He puts on my heart to testify to His goodness, thru aching hands, on a glaring computer, this night.
For if we do not praise Him,
“the stones will cry out”.
So let’s pause.
Rest.
Reflect.
And adore Him.
Him alone.
Him who became sin, who knew it not, so that we could become His righteousness.
It is scandalous, that Truth.
But it is inevitable Truth and what we ultimately all will bow before one day.
So let’s bow and remember and thank Him.
Who became sin, who knew it not, so that we could become His righteousness.
Adam is fast asleep.
Hadassah has left for the evening.
Four boys from Asha Mission (that home I treasured for so many years and always rejoice to visit) are soundly asleep in our guest room.
Redemption is flowing out of the cracks of this home.
Praise is rising up to Him above.
Surely, He began a good work in each of these lives, and will bring it to completion.
Adam.
Once alone.
Abandoned.
No way to close his eyes.
Now, adopted into a global family.
Loved.
Eyes tightly closed as he sleeps soundly.
Now family.
Hadassah.
Once sold.
Rejected.
Child bride.
Saw no reason to live.
Inflicting unimaginable pain on a body, oh so tiny.
Scarred.
Now, though the scars remain,
She is known.
Redeemed.
A crown of beauty has replaced ashes.
She is interceded for.
Has a heavenly family.
Laughter is breaking thru the tears.
Now family.
Those 4 little boys from Asha.
Stories also unimaginable.
Some abused.
Some forgotten.
Some purposefully abandoned.
Now known by countless many.
Now loved.
Now laughing.
Now strong.
Now learning.
Now family.
And as I reflect on the goodness of these 6 lives that have been around us all day.
Sitting around table, blessedly full.
Walking thru tea plantations by moonlight.
Swinging in hammocks full of laughter.
Throwing discs and playing till exhaustion.
Skyping with our family far away.
I see that He who came sin, Who knew it not, is bringing His Kingdom.
Day by day.
Do I see it?
Do I choose it?
Even when it is hard?
Painful?
Maybe requires some sacrifice?
Of my priorities and my perspective?
Do I long for it?
His Kingdom.
For it is eternal and heavenly.
And it is all that will last.
“Our Father.
Who art in heaven.
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done.
On earth.
as it
is
in
Heaven.”
His Kingdom, not my own.
His will, not ours.
His name hallowed.
Not my family’s.
That is what I long for.
That is why I am humbled today.
For even in days when my old flesh’s kingdom seems easier.
Or more convenient.
Or more logical.
Or more predictable.
His Kingdom interrupts my flesh.
His Spirit intercedes.
And by His mercy,
His Kingdom comes down.
By grace.
In grace.
All is grace
I am thankful for a house that is pulsing redemption tonight.
I am thankful for a Savior Who became what He knew not, so that I could inherit what I could not on my own.
And then, He brings His Kingdom and replaces mine.
And He does it all in grace.
And I stand amazed again.
We saw a dear brother and sister after 1 year apart and then bid them farewell also.
They met Adam for the first time and it was so very special.
Adam has started eating more and more by mouth.
Oatmeal
Bananas
Pumpkin (the favorite currently)
And others.
He is gaining weight and amazing us all.
His dimples are growing when he smiles and it amazes us to see it daily.
Life has been full lately.
Of His Kingdom and His Name and His stories of redemption.
And He continues to choose to let me witness His scarred hands weaving scandalous love stories in lives around me.
We need His grace more and more each day.
We stand amazed again and again at Calvary.
And wonder how He can love us, sinners, condemned, unclean.
How marvelous and wonderful our eternal song shall ever be!
Jessica –
your home indeed is overflowing with redemption, a warm beautiful light that reflects the face of Christ.
I have been trying to put to words the emotions that welled in my heart as i gazed on you with adam in your arms, as i saw the love and appreciation in Hadassah's eyes as she breathed easy – as one of the family, as i saw raja as a loving father and husband leading you all in the steps of Christ.
I have no words to describe the emotions… but this title…
"on earth as it is in heaven…" seems the closest description… and it nearly brings me to tears as i long to see more and more of this in my life.
You and your family really do "have it all" already….
May The Lamb That Was Slain Receive The Reward For His Suffering!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
Oh, may the Lord keep you guys walking in His Blessings every step of the rest of your lives!
So lovely to read your testimony.