His Strong Love

I love the fresh revelations God gives. When something that we know becomes what we experience.

I've been wondering, asking: How can I continue to have these precious babies brought before me and give a piece of my heart while I pray for them? It's getting exhausting. But it's what God has called me to in our adoption journey. I know that beyond a shadow of a doubt. But man - How can I keep doing it?!

So often we talk about God's love and we get a picture in our minds of something soft, "ooey, gooey, mushy" type love. Yes, He has emotion toward us. But that is not what held Him to the cross.

As Jesus went through the trials, the beatings, the whippings, carrying the cross down that road, and hanging there, it was not "ooey, gooey, mushy love" that got Him there. He chose it. His love is power. His love is joy.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us: "...for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame..."

What held Him to that cross was that He knew what was next. He knew what joy it would bring Him and the Father to bring us into their family. He desired that - so much! So much that He endured the worst pain and humiliation. Oh the depths of His love for us!

I know the depths of the desire and love I have for my children. And the ache for the one not in my arms yet. And I know that my desire, love, and ache are NOTHING compared to what His is for us.

He can ask me to endure this because He endured so. much. more.

He has also told me how: Heb. 12:1-2 "Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnared us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne."

As He moved this on my heart, all I could do was sit and cry. That He would love us that much. That He would CHOOSE us that much.

I am in awe.