WAKE-UP CALL
August 20, 2000
I've never been water skiing. Probably because at a young age I saw my older stepbrother Bob, break his nose with one swift smack of a ski board to his face. I remember the frantic drive to the hospital, his two black eyes, and all those nose gauze pads--yuk--no thanks! In my mind are vivid memories of climbing on board our small cabin cruiser and navigating Lake Erie to anchor in for a night at Pelee Island and/or heading up to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio to ride the Tilt a Whirl. But mostly I remember spending a lot of time watching the wake of the boat. In deep water the wake looks pretty much the same--turbulent and churning water with trails of ripples. In shallow water, the motor stirs up the water and the wake turns over what lies beneath the surface. The greater the speed of the boat, the bigger and more active the wake. In our day to day living, as we seek to serve our God and Father of all mercies, the wake and the subsequent ripples, that we leave behind is our testimony.
In light of some events that have occurred within our Christian Adoption ministry, I have been spending a lot of time looking at the wake and what it has churned over from beneath the surface. It is my hope and prayer that what I have discovered and learned improves our service to each and every couple that lists with Christian Adoption.
I have thoughtfully and prayerfully re-considered where, what, and why we are sending out updates to those in the CA family. I've examined our motive in collating the information, and considered the motives of others that have upon occasion become insistent to receive them. I have had to take a hard look at where we are going and why we are headed in that direction. I have also considered who we are. When attorneys were called with threat of suit, when we are being called a cult that is operating mind control techniques within CA, and when we were accused of being dazzled by power--I knew we were on the front lines of the spiritual battle. That was reassuring! We must be doing something right, when our adversary is blatantly attacking us. Attacking us on an emotional front, in the legal realm, with false accusations, and basically shaking his fist at us. We were shaken for a bit, but not discouraged. We were rattled a bit, but never thought to back down.
I have gained such a greater appreciation for those in the CA family. For on the front lines, on either side I was flanked by you--my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have felt the heat of the battle, but not the searing pain. I am fully aware that is because of you--you that have joined your hearts to ours--not just in CA--but in the one body of Christ, that we are still standing. You have encouraged us not just in your prayer support, contact, and/or messages--but by the love in your hearts. As the Christian Adoption family, we are more solidly united than we were a month ago. I am humbled, I am thankful, and I am amazed. To say thank you to you would never be adequate, so I must again turn to prayer and ask God to bless you more than abundantly in every way for your faithfulness and your stand with us upon God's Word.
Life like time, marches on. Our united loyalty is to our God that has poured out His grace and mercy upon us. Our united cause is to build families through adoption so those children can and will be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. To the end, that for generations to come, long after we are gone, HIS WORD lives because it was taught from generation to generation. It is a long-term vision, a generational vision, and a lifetime goal that is worthy of commitment.
We will continue to send out updates to those that are listed with us, because we believe they build unity within our CA family. We are not operators that disseminate information, but rather we are responsible to present information for consideration. We will transmit updates that will build unity and we will shun anything that causes division. Receiving updates has been and will continue to be a privilege. Not because they come from CA, but because your brothers and sisters in Christ are revealing their hearts, their thoughts, their concerns, their lives to you. It is a privilege to see into the hearts of others that stand beside you and whom pray for you. It is an honor to be asked to prayerfully consider the needs of others.
Respect is earned, and trust is built.
We will work hard to earn your respect and with God's help we will continue to build trust.
Thank you for your love, prayers, and support.
In His love and service,
Deborah
For more information please read Feathers and Daze. 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
