GOD SETS THE STANDARD
Written by Deborah.
7/25/02
Sniper dust is a powder that is familiar to farmers, poultry owners and gardening enthusiasts. It's a toxic substance designed to target the destruction of specific parasites and etymological predators. One is supposed to wear a facemask while using it, to wash hands thoroughly, and to responsibly dispose of the metallic lined bag when empty. It's tough stuff and it does a great job eradicating skin mites on chickens--sometimes. A few years ago, one good dusting of Sniper dust on our poultry eliminated the mite problem. Last year, several dustings were required to eliminate these pesky bugs. This year--Sniper dust just isn't sniping. We've found another product that is effective, howbeit, not made for use on poultry. Adams Flea & Tick Mist for dogs and cats comes in a blue spray bottle. It also is to be used with responsible caution. It's made specifically for canines and felines, but it's proving to be effective on avians and bovines. It's expensive but works. So what's the big deal about skin mites on chickens? These insidious bugs crawl under the chicken's feathers, like fleas under animal fur, and feed on hair follicle blood. This drives the chickens 'nutty' with scratching and feather pulling. Which results in the loss of their upper feathers, exposing their pinfeathers. When chickens go up to roost at night, they enjoy pecking and eating each other's pinfeathers, which results in bare backed chickens. Bare backed chickens use daily feedings to try to grow new pinfeathers, which are promptly picked off by other chickens while roosting. Once the problem has begun, it becomes a vicious cycle, and egg production goes down. (We never had this poultry skin mite problem in Oklahoma, but we've fought it every year in Kansas, which indicates a local problem.) Each night, as we close up the chicken house, one can smell the Adams Flea & Tick Mist being sprayed on our bare backed chickens. And since they don't like the taste of this stuff, pinfeathers are sprouting up and continuing to grow. Give it another month and we'll have fully feathered birds once again. However, the expense and effort to maintain a healthy flock is labor intensive, both mentally and physically.
The CHRISTIAN adoption process also requires effort to maintain a healthy mental state, which is labor intensive. All of this "chicken" life experience reminds us once again that there are rules, guidelines and standards in this world that "typically" apply, but not all work for EVERYONE. Relating this life lesson to CHRISTIAN adoption…
What may generally apply or "typically" work for one adoptive couple while pursuing adoption, may not work in any way/shape/form for another adoptive couple. Statistics are good for reference, guidelines help keep us on track, the laws of the land are to be followed, but the individual blessings from God do not conform to any mold. How God will bless each adoptive couple with a child/children is HIS prerogative and will be accomplished by God's standard. As Christians that seek to know the one true God and that endeavor to be as HE is, we are wise to not restrict the ways in which God can and will bless us with HIS best. We are also wise to not set a human standard or formula for the adoption process.
Christian couples that have successfully adopted, in their zealous enthusiasm, often tell/advise waiting couples erroneously. What worked for one couple may NEVER work for another couple, no matter how hard they try a suggestion. In other words, each Christian adoptive couple's experience will be unique to them, because God knows the hearts of HIS people and will bless them beyond measure, as they trust in HIM. Experiences may overlap, each couple's process we can learn from (like the Old Testament), but how, when, where, and in what manner God answers prayer is according to HIS standard. What's HIS standard? His best for His people that humble, trust and rely upon HIM.
Formulas for successfully adopting don't exist. There are guidelines, suggestions, ideas, and methods that may or may not be effective. But each Christian adoptive couple would be wise to prayerfully consider the suggestions/counsel/advice of others before jumping in with both feet.
Constantly, pray without ceasing about your adoption process. As you prayerfully consider the advice of others, you'll know in your heart whether or not to apply the counsel. Prayerfully consider your present set of circumstances--if you already have children, you are responsible to consider their welfare and future first and foremost. How will this idea/suggestion effect my child(ren) for the next 50 years? IF GOD IS DIRECTING YOU, then you will have a peace and assurance that your child(ren) will be blessed and will be THANKING GOD and you for following the advice of others/for following through with an adoption option. If you are not yet a parent, rather than compare yourselves to other waiting couples, pray for the other childless couples, expecting God to answer your prayers for your brothers and sisters in Christ. You will find a peace that passes all understanding, as you lose yourself in service to others.
PUSH your mind to NOT put God in a box with how HE will guide you and bless you. Get rid of your preconceived mental 'grocery list' and let GOD DO HIS THING in your lives. Listen to the advice, counsel, suggestions of others, and PRAYERFULLY consider it, before JUMPING into action. Let God direct your steps, considering the wise counsel of others, but depend upon GOD's guidance for you.
It is our daily hope and prayer that our Christian adoption family is blessed with God's best. We, like you, would like for that blessing to happen YESTERDAY (!), and that your adoption journey would be totally free of pain, despair, disappointment and unanswered questions. If we could trade places with you, we'd do it in a heartbeat. We understand experientially the deep pain and anguish, the sense of hopelessness and helplessness that many face/fight on a daily basis.
Our greatest advice to you now and always is to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY and then PRAY some more. You will not be disappointed with God's blessings. While you, and we, are waiting for answers to these countless numbers of prayers, we remain available to you and at your service.
For more information please read Full and Year. 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
