This Simple Truth - Part Two

Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.

"Aurora Leigh" - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I must admit that I am guilty of plucking blackberries. I love when the sweet fruits of life are easy to come by. I especially love when there is no extra energy required to partake of the sweet fruits.

Just hold out your hand and you will be content.

The problem with living for my own benefit is when I look at lifes opportunities and only consider how they will affect me. How will this make me look? What will people think of me? Do I have to give up my comfort for someone else? Because, from my selfish point of view, if it isn't going to benefit me, then what purpose does it serve?

Then one day, figuratively speaking, Adam and I see a burning bush (halleluja!), and it took our eyes off of ourselves. We became aware of something bigger than us, something with purpose, and God allowed us to be a part of it (halleluja!).

I erred, though, in thinking that because we were being faithful in taking this journey that God has called us to take, the path would be easy and there would be a lot of blackberries to pick along the way.

I was wrong.

I didn't anticipate that the little girl God picked for us would have special needs. It never crossed my mind, and yet, I look at her and see a child who is full of life and deserves a chance to live it.

I see the face of the daughter God placed on my heart 13 years ago, and her smile that lights up a room.

I see determination in her eyes and the joy she brings to her caregivers faces.

But most of all, I see God's hand in this miracle, and the fulfillment in our lives, and I can't say no to that.

The night before we came home, Adam and I talked a lot about L, her diagnosis and what that could mean for our family if we continued with the adoption. We wondered what people would say about our choice to adopt and why. Then the thought occurred to me, are we living for the opinions of others, or the will of God? Because, if we are living for God, then I will not be content plucking blackberries. It's time to take our shoes off and glorify Him (halleluja!).