Harder Family

Harder Family

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Two Year Adventure

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Today Facebook reminded me that two years ago I was climbing the Great Wall of China! I absolutely loved China and would return in a heart beat to visit our sons' birth country. The people of China were friendly, the food was delicious, and the best part of the trip was getting our two sons. I won't sugarcoat adoption and make it appear like it is all rainbows and unicorns because adoption is hard. BUT, adoption is also beautiful. It is crazy to see how far we have come in two years...both individually and as a family. God has taught me so much over the past two years about myself, and He continues to teach my heart new things. Different experiences in life will peal back layers we try to cover over. Adoption is one of those experiences that God will use to point out parts of your heart and attitude that need adjusting. Although the last two years have been hard at times, I would not change the past or exchange what I have learned. 

There are many hard things in adoption, but there are pictures of beauty as well. This year, both boys decided that they wanted to follow Jesus!! That made our heart sing with joy! That wasn't the only exciting news. Yesterday at church when Shan Chen saw a screen mentioning baptism, he told us that he wanted to be baptized and it was time that he took that step. Last night Shan Chen called our pastor and told him that he wanted to be baptized. Shan Chen will be the first one to tell you that while in China, he never heard who Jesus was. In fact, he will tell you that he prayed to idols and he feels bad that he did that. He says that someone needs to tell other people in China about Jesus! He says that he is so glad that he came to America and was able to learn about Jesus' love and forgiveness! THAT is worth every tear, struggle, and battle we have fought over the two years fighting trauma, medical issues, and different diagnosis. 

And that my friend is where YOU come in. There has been a lot of chatter and discussion on the internet over the last few weeks about abortion and protecting life. I am full PRO-LIFE, so hear my heart clearly in this! I wonder how many of us say we are pro-life, but don't do anything else to help protect those lives we don't want aborted. What about a young mom who needs someone to walk along side her during her pregnancy and needs someone to show her the love of Jesus? What about the 100,000+ children in America in foster care? What about volunteering at your local pregnancy center, or opening your home for short period of time through Safe Families? Maybe it is supporting someone adopting or donating supplies to organizations who are on the ground fighting to help others? Sometimes we need to put some feet to our words. Proclaiming the gospel to a lost and dying world is the most important task we have as Christians, but we also are called to be God's hands and feet. On this day we celebrate 2 years with DJ (Shan Chen's two years is in just a couple days), I just wanted to challenge you to pray and contemplate how God may be calling YOU to be His hands and His feet.

Some people think we are crazy and they have questioned if we have lost our minds. I mean who adopts two boys, with unknown needs, in the midst of having a terminal cancer? Who moves to another state and leaves everything behind for the unknown? I say we are absolutely not crazy, we are just crazy for Jesus! As Corrie ten Boom once said, "The safest place to be is in the center of God's will." Pray and ask God where the center of His will is for your life. Maybe God has some crazy, bold adventure for your to embark on as well. I say go for it! There is no place better than in God's will!!!






China: 2017 (above pictures)

Current pictures (below)






1 comment:

  1. That's a great challenge!!! And a great word...It's always good to be in the middle of God's will.

    Thanks for giving me some things to think and pray on.

    ReplyDelete