The Ripple Effect

*This is a post I had written almost a year ago and forgot to publish!  It still holds true today!*

Being out at the beach the other day was fun and being in the presence of the beauty that the Lord has surrounded us with always brings me back to a place of peace and trust.

Many times in this fallen world, the doubts creep in and the fear is just below the surface and the days can get hard.

I begin to allow the worry to permeate by thoughts and the expectations of this society override my trust in His plan and in His way...

which is so not the way of the world.

This is usually when the Lord steps in with His awesome reassurance...

and it is many times through my kids.

One question that creeps into those dark places is, "What about our other kids?"

How does this season of struggle and adjustment and lacking affect them?  Adoption is not always easy and our society tells us that we should be able to buy the latest and greatest gadgets out there and with 7 kiddos...

Well you do the math.

Our kids may not get to go to D*sney every year but our kids are doing just fine, thank you.

If you ask my kids if they would like to go to D*sney every year, I am certain they would reply with something like, "Heck yeah!"

If you ask them if they would trade their sisters for a trip to D*sney every year, I am just as certain that they might reply with something like, "Can have both?"

hehe

Seriously though, I know they would not trade the experience of loving their sisters for anything, including a yearly D*sney trip.

Does it make it easy when we have to say no to things that they ask for?

Heck no

*grin*

But these moments help to remind me of what is truly important and that yes, my kids are ok

better than ok

and while they may lack for some of the stuff that the world places value on...

 
the lessons that they are learning are invaluable! 

I love this verse from John 14:27...

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace!

God's peace!