TAKE HEART

Enjoy this encouraging word from our friend Tana. I {Beth} never come to the end of my need to be reminded that "the story is not over" and that God is actually busy doing a good work in our family, even when it feels like we have stalled and no progress has been made. Reading this brief post will stir you once again shake off any weariness as you receive strength in Jesus. 

Also, don't forget to REGISTER NOW for HOPE AT HOME 2013. We are so looking forward to our time together in September!

H@HKids! is coming up August 10. Register your children, ages 4-12 now. We have limited spaces for this unique event, so take a look at what we have planned-- it's a wonderful opportunity for your children to draw close their Father God and hear what He has to say about them. 

From Tana:

It can be so hard to wait! We love our children (adopted and otherwise) so very much, that we want to see results right now. We want our loving homes and awe-inspiring parenting skills to erase early trauma, change undesirable behavior, and heal broken hearts. We know that only our Father can really do those things, so we pray for miracles. Sometimes, those miracles happen immediately (thank you, Jesus). More often, we must keep loving, keep praying, keep turning our faces and theirs towards Jesus, keep forgiving rejection (it really isn’t personal), and so on, and so on.

Galatians 6:9 says, 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Don't be discouraged excellent parents, if you're not seeing radical overnight changes. Take heart, for in due season, you will reap.

Even better, Psalm 126:5-6 says, 

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. 

I know that many of you have planted in tears- who wouldn’t, when faced with the realities that some of our children lived through before they were ours? It’s heartbreaking, but don’t give up. I know how exhausting it can be to continue doing good work when it looks like good results are improbable at best, but don’t give up. In due season, you will reap, and when you do, it will be with shouts of joy and singing!

Father God, today I stir myself once again to trust this good work you are doing in me, in my child, and in my family. I come to You knowing that because I am in You and You are in me, I am a patient and persevering parent. Holy Spirit, would You help me today to shake off weariness in well-doing, and put on  joy in this process of parenting. Amen. 

P.S.  We sang the song Take Heart, at church yesterday-- take the time to listen, and read the words below. I hope it encourages you as it does me! For it is true dear friends, in all that we are dealing with right now, HE HAS OVERCOME. 


VERSE 1
There is a light
It burns brighter than the sun
He steals the night
And casts no shadow
There is hope
Should oceans rise and mountains fall
He never fails

CHORUS
So take heart
Let His love lead us through the night
Hold on to hope
And take courage again

VERSE 2
In death by love
The fallen world was overcome
He wears the scars of our freedom
In His Name
All our fears are swept away
He never fails

BRIDGE
All our troubles
And all our tears
God our hope
He has overcome

All our failure
And all our fear
God our love
He has overcome
All our heartache
And all our pain
God our healer
He has overcome

All our burdens
And all our shame
God our freedom
He has overcome

All our troubles
And all our tears
God our hope
He has overcome

All our failures
And all our fear
God our love
He has overcome

God our justice
God our grace
God our freedom
He has overcome

God our refuge
God our strength
God is with us
He has overcome