Adoption Journal #11

We finally received a call from our assigned adoption worker, Allison. It has been a long-time coming and we are filled with expectation. Unfortunately, we have been playing phone tag with our worker, but we are confident that we will be able to schedule a meeting with her very soon. Expectation is an interesting thing. There is not a day that goes by that Mandy or I don't think about our child. Most people going through labor only have to wonder what the sex of the child will be. Even that can usually be figured out fairly early. For us there are questions about gender, age, ethnicity and development. It is a little difficult to prepare when you don't know the child's age. Furniture, clothes, supplies, etc. all tend to be age specific, and we can't be sure we are having a newborn.Our expectation is a little different from a biological birth in another important way. Most expectant parents are given a date by their doctor on which they can expect their baby. While not all babies arrive exactly on time, most arrive within an acceptable time frame on either side of the expected date. We have no idea when our date is. This not knowing is a little nerve-racking, and, at times, a little frustrating. It is hard not knowing, it is hard to wait, it is hard to be patient, both with Orange County Social Services and with God. However, I take comfort in another man who waited to see a child.Luke 2 verses 25 & 26 provide a little glimpse into a man named Simeon. The Holy Spirit had told him that he would not die before he saw the Christ-child. Imagine being told that you would see the Christ-child and having to wait for the fulfillment of that promise? We don't know what age Simeon was when he received his promise, but it could have been years. I wonder if he woke up every morning thinking " today could be the day." I can understand that kind of thinking. I am sure that Simeon hoped that each day would be "the day" he was face to face with his Lord. Yet, he had to wait and wait. I take comfort in the fact that God does not make us wait in vain and that hope the is anchored in Christ will not disappoint no matter how difficult the waiting is.