A FRAME IS A LIMITED MEASURE
4/7/03
Every one of us has more or less of these hanging on the walls of our homes. Some of us inundate tables, dressers and desktops with frames.
Picture frames that hold photos of those we love, favorite cards, a touching poem, or a special verse that ministers to our heart.
A frame is a limited measure. It typically has 4 sides and has limited dimension. It only holds that which will fit within its outer boundary, its perimeter. We are so accustomed to owning, displaying and enjoying our frames that we may not recognize them as something that is a limited measure.
As we enter the world of adoption, we may transfer these limited measures into our adoption journey mindset. Countless times, I've heard, "This is not the way I pictured our children would come to us." "This is not how I pictured our lives would be at this age." "This is not how I pictured the adoption journey." "This is not the way I pictured our birthmom." This is not the way we pictured our child." "This is not in the 'time frame' of what we had in mind." "This process is not how I pictured it." "Christian Adoption is not what I'd pictured." "This "match", this waiting, this season, this time, this holiday, this…" The list goes on and on.
The pictures we hold or entertain in our minds are usually held within a frame.
A frame is a limited measure.
GOD IS LIMITLESS.
He has no boundaries, no outer edge, and no perimeters to His ability to deliver.
HE HAS NO TIME RESTRAINTS!
Countless times, I've heard, "If we don't adopt a child by this date, by this holiday, by this occasion, by this…, then we're going to stop/quit and go on with our lives."
Those very statements are a framework of how a person expects God to answer and to deliver within that PERSON's time frame.
A frame is a limited measure!
We limit God's ability to deliver us when we place a time frame, a boundary, and a perimeter on when He should answer our prayers.
A statement that drives me "nutty" and I hear from CA couples is: "If we don't adopt by (name a month, date, occasion, day of the week…), we're going to stop. We just want to get on with our lives and not think about adoption."
Hmmm…aren't you supposed to be living your life for the Lord everyday?
Hmmm…as a Christian, don't you already have a commitment to be like Christ each day?
When did Jesus Christ put limitations on God or else he wouldn't be obedient?
As Christians, are we doing our utmost for His highest, regardless of the adoption process?
Are we limited in our ability to live God's Word because we're pursuing adoption?
Who tells us that our lives are on "hold" until we adopt a child? If we want to take a vacation or need to buy a new car or whatever, don't we trust God to supply our needs?
Do we believe that He is our sufficiency?
WE, in our erroneous/deceived thinking shortchange ourselves from the blessings of God. We restrict God's blessings because we "frame" our expectations, we "frame" time, and we "frame" our great God.
We place boundaries on when and/or how we should receive His blessings.
If you quit or stop, that's your decision.
BUT don't claim that God wasn't willing or able to answer your prayers!
If you want His blessings, in His timing-
--then you will wait upon Him for His best for you.
A FRAME IS A LIMITED MEASURE.
GOD IS LIMITLESS.
For more information please read Standard and Reminders. We encourage you to prayerfully consider registering with our service, and/or writing to us.
adoption@christianadoption.com
A non-profit Christian and Internet
service ministry. We're helping others in the adoption
process.
1.800.277.7006 620.251.4405
Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
