Where does your faith really lie?

I have been a little quiet lately. I have a lot on my mind. Not to mention on my plate. Three months have passed since Dasha came home and a lot has happened in that time. The family is settling back into a routine and new ministry opportunities have opened up. I will be sharing about that shortly, but not quite yet. Until then, I have something else on my mind.

It has to do with faith.

Faith and obedience to do hard things.
Things that really, truly require us to place our faith firmly on our Heavenly Father.
A faith that seems to be lacking in all the places that it should be strongest.

I imagine this problem crops up in other areas, but as adoption seems to be my arena, I must admit, it seems to be a well where faith in our Father and an ear to obey his call has run dry.

Why do I say this? Because of the numerous stories I am told about families who have been cautioned, if not all out chided for considering a second or, dear God, not a third adoption (are you mad? when does it end?), and most distressing, dissuaded from hearing the call of adoption at all.

How is this manifest? With admonishments to "take care of your own children first" and then see what is left. When families are told they don't "need" any more children. You've done enough now. Worst of all, when they are told to "count the cost" of bringing home these "damaged" children. As if the children weren't even worthy of consideration, much less compassion.
Where does this lack of faith come from?
Certainly not from the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). This reasoning would have Jesus praising the two men who moved to the other side of the road to avoid the wounded traveler rather than commanding that we show the love of the Samaritan. Jesus didn't say, "Well done avoiding the unclean. Excellent job preserving the inheritance of the children already in your home. If you spent your money taking care of this unfortunate soul, the doctor's bills and hotel stay would really put a dent in the old retirement fund. Way to be prudent. Bravo!"
Also not found in the story of Elijah and the Widow (I Kings 17:8-16)
In this story the widow is told to make Elijah a loaf of bread. She has just told him that she only has enough left for one last meager meal, then they will die. In spite of this, she does what he says and the widow, her son, and Elijah are fed out of her flour and oil until the drought was over.
If that woman had asked for advice in today's world, she would have been told to take care of her son. He is her first obligation. You can't be expected to save everyone, you know. You're just one person.

WHERE IS OUR FAITH? WHEN WE ARE PLACED IN THESE SITUATIONS, IT IS SO THAT GOD CAN BE GLORIFIED. HOW CAN WE EVER SEE GOD'S MIRACULOUS PROVISION IF WE ARE NEVER IN A PLACE WHERE WE NEED IT?

FYI: The family that had been advised to care for the ones they already had at home, who bristled at this advice and rejected it, planned together last night to mail their paperwork as soon as they had the first amount needed. As I began writing this post, I received a call from her. While we spoke she was opening the mail. In it there just so happened to be a $500 check they didn't expect.

Be encouraged, friend. We serve an awesome God who will sustain us and support us and equip us with what we need to do what He wants us to do!