Helping you help 147 million...
Facebook Badge
how many hits?
A story from Dad
It has been a year since Dad has been given the pen to post my thoughts on this blog. Once a year is probably good enough for me (and you) as Suzanne is much better at this than me. So I looked back at my last post (Sept 2009..."Pain"), which was the day we found out about Josie's medical conditions. I remember that day like it was yesterday...the shock, the fear, the disbelief, the pain, the questions. You see, Im a planner. I like to know whats in front of me. Plan for the contingencies, quantify and mitigate the risks, expect the unexpected, examine the pros and cons of any situation so that a well thought out, logical decision can be made....that's me (show this post to your husbands that are just like me). That day in Uganda a year ago threw me for a BIG loop. It wasnt exactly the way I had it all planned out. As my friend Mark told me, "there are your plans and then there are God's plans, and your plans don't count". I'm so thankful today that my plans don't count. You see, if you asked me a couple of years ago if I would be willing, or if I felt "called", to adopt a child with HIV and TB, I would have honestly, (and arrogantly) said that I wasnt "called" to THAT. Well I was obviously called to that, I just didnt know it at the time (THANK GOD). By the way, I don't ever say "I'm not called to that" anymore. Truth is we throw that spiritual expression around rather loosely and arrogantly, like we are certain we know what we are or are not called to. I'm so thankful that God didn't "leave it up to me" whether or not Josie Love would be forever a Mayernick. The other night, knowing that it was just a short year ago that we were in Uganda with "Josephine", (Don't you love the idea that God will "change your name!"), I asked Suzanne to email me some "then and now" pictures of Josie (above) so I could download them to my Ipad as a reminder of how far she has come. She did. I cry when I see them. Not only because of the miraculous change that has taken place in her life and in her little body, but also because it reminds me that if "my plans" would have been the ones that counted, she wouldnt be with us today and I dont have any idea what her life would look like (or ours for that matter). Yea, I could have missed it if it were up to my plans. I then am reminded of the dozens of other people who have told us that they are pursuing adoption of a child with HIV after hearing of Josie Love's story. And to think "my plans" could have interrupted HIS plans. Pretty humbling.
As difficult and chaotic as our lives have become sometimes, I would not trade it for anything in the world. I just finished reading a book entitled "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller. Its about stories. The stories you and I are a part of in our lives. We all want to write a good story with our lives but as Miller puts it "no one wants to do what it takes to write a great story. Joy costs pain." I am learning the truth in those words. Any good story has pain in it. Joy definitely comes through pain. Funny how we try to create a life void of pain and void of trials, yet what we seek is Joy.
I guess part of the reason I write this post is for the dad out there who is hesitant to take the leap of faith to adopt because you feel like it doesnt really fit into your plans. My only word for you is "Dont miss It...dont miss the blessing!"
God can do some pretty amazing things with pretty messed up people if we will just let Him. If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I would be passionate about the things I'm passionate about today (adoption, orphans, racial reconciliation, HIV, Africa,etc), I'd have probably laughed at you....not my story. Thank God He sees fit to not let my plans get in the way of His plans!
Til next year!
Mike
playlist
About Me
- suzanne
- I am a lover of Jesus. I have the most fabulous husband that anyone woman could ask for. The Lord has blessed us with 7 beautiful children. I started this blog so that friends and family could follow our trip to Uganda to visit Katie Davis. I have decided to keep blogging to help bring orphan awareness to the world around me.
17 comments:
Very thought-inspiring post. Thank you!
Wow Mike, incredible post. Thank you, thank you for sharing your heart here.
Beautiful!!! The post and your precious girl! Praise God for His sovereignty!
LOVE it!! Shared on my fb wall hoping others will read it. Thanks for living for Him and being radically different!!
This is a great post! If you're only going to post on here once a year, thanks for making it count. It's about to be linked to my Facebook and my blog.
:)Meliski
I wanted to say a huge thank you for allowing us glimpses into your lives. Your story has continued to encourage me and my husband along our own adoption journey. Thank you for letting us "meet" beautiful Josie Love. Thank you for opening our eyes and hearts to God's bigger and better plan. Thank you for challenging us all. It is an honor to "know" you through the body of Christ. God bless! Oh, and I am most definitely showing this post to my husband because I know he will totally get where you were coming from! And if you don't mind, I will probably point others to it as well.
--Rory
AMEN! After meeting your family it is such a connection.
If you would have told us about our journey - I would have RUN - I MEAN REALLY REALLY RUN the other way!!!! Thank God I didn't know. SOO MUCH we would have missed out on.
Praise God you followed HIM. :)
Awesome, awesome post!
Your honest heart is so humbling and im praying for a changed heart of a man in this home...
Your example encourages those prayers.
Press On Brother and thank you!
We too used to say that we didn't feel called to adopt. I despise that saying now. Almost a year ago my husband said he felt like we should adopt. I'm sure I stood there with my mouth hanging open for some time. The time is getting closer for us to start our China adoption. At least that is the direction we are headed. But I've learned to keep an open heart because of the whole "plans" thing.
Suzanne and Mike...I've read over the last few posts and felt my heart beat in harmony with yours. While our Ellie's condition is very different from Josie Love's, I am soooooooo glad I didn't miss it! I surely did not check spina bifida on the special needs checklist. But, God knew! The blessings and miracles I see each day are overwhelming at times.
I hope and pray to meet you, to hug your NECKS, and just share the love for orphans...when you come to Blackshear, GA...my home town!
Robbie
Mike, that was great! I am printing this and giving it some of our friends are in that same position you were in in the beginning. So nicely stated and so real. Thanks for posting this! Lots of love to your family.
Blessings
www.campfunk.blogspot.com
beautiful post. once again.
thanks from hong kong,
kim
Beautiful, Thank You!
Mike,
My name is Taylor Tidmore. My wife and I have just recently started the adoption process and will be adopting from Ethiopia. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story. I read "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" a few months ago and it was what really started our journey to adoption. I realized it was time our family invested ourselves in a greater story. Our old story was selfish and boring. God's story is so much greater. It is so encouraging to see others getting caught up in God's great story for our lives. So from one dad to another, thanks for telling your story.
Thanks, Mike. You don't "have" to wait a whole year to post again. You and Suzanne make a great team!
Pretty awesome hubby you have there Suzanne. GREAT POST !
Post a Comment