This past Sunday specific readings were chosen at our church to go along with the theme of the service, which was "The Day of Grace: Restoring the Earth." As I sat listening to the second reading, some phrases resonated with personal meaning. Of course, hearing the word "adoption" at the end of the reading stood out as different than most bible versus... then when I re-read the passage it seemed even more as if it were speaking to me. The verses read:
Romans 8:18-25
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in* hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes* for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Although, I may be taking these versus out of context... to me it is a reminder of how certain struggles, such as our experience with infertility, lead to growth. After you allow yourself to feel the pain, you are reminded to trust and have hope that there will be unexpected rewards. The beauty does lie in the wait at times... which is where Michael and I are now in this phase of our adoption. Okay I may be looking at the world through "adoption-colored glasses" right now; however, I still think it is pretty cool how this reading, at this particular time, so clearly illustrates our path.
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