Drops of Blood

"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 

 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22

Drops of blood. 

What a picture of Sacrificial Love. 

 The Creator of the Universe kneeling in a garden - anguishing over us to such an extent that even before He was placed on the cross - He was shedding blood for us. 

Why do I share that?

I received an e-mail this morning from Tesney Davis begging for prayers.  As I read her e-mail - as my spirit groaned for words to speak, knowing the utter anguish they are going through right now over Kirill - the picture of Jesus kneeling in the garden came to me.  Praying.  Wrestling.  Surrendering.   In anguish.  In utter sorrow.  Praying that God's will be done.  Regardless of the outcome.  Knowing that what He faced would ultimately kill Him. 

 But choosing Love.  For us.  So we could become Sons and Daughters of the King.

So that we can Love ourselves.

So that our lives - as His children - can be an offering.

He shed His blood for us so we too could LOVE in return.

Not for reward.

But because we first were Loved.

Adoption begins and ends with God.

The Davis family understands this.  The Hook family understands this too.  As does the Moreno family.

They understand that it is GOD who called them to adopt because He first adopted them.  They are securely in HIS grasp.  They know Him intimately and it is to HIM they cling in all the uncertainties that they are currently facing.

They are choosing to stand and fight a battle that may not be won this side of Heaven.

They know this.

They are fighting anyway.

They are fighting because the Creator of the Universe fought for them.  And won. 

They are now fighting for their children.  And the hundreds of other special needs children in that region who are voiceless and helpless.

It is beyond hard to love as they have come to love with the knowledge that losing is a real possibility.

They need us.

They need us to kneel beside them and pray with them.

We cannot sleep while they cry out in anguish for their little ones.

WE NEED TO BE KNEELING WITH THEM.

We need to storm heaven for the Davis family.  Pray for their lawyers, facilitators, the Supreme Court, the judge - the prosecutor. 

We need to cry out  for the Hook family.  The terror they are experiencing right now is beyond words.  Please pray for them.  They face this judge and prosecutor NEXT WEEK. 

The Moreno family - They just met their little one two days ago and are head over heels in love.   She's a spitfire.  She is ready to go home.  Today!

These families need us to be on our knees.

All the children in that region need us.

Pray that this case - these cases - cause an uproar that cannot be silenced. 

Pray for peace.  God's peace to fill each of their hearts.  Pray that He would be their Rock and Fortress.  That on Him they would lean.  Pray that His Presence would fill and sustain them as they walk through this dark valley. 

Pray so this little guy can come home.