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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Cast Your Bread


How do you go from dreaming about one child's untold story in your family to loving a different child in a matter of a week?

How do you let go of your dreams? How do you open your heart to love again when it has been so recently bruised?

Only by God's grace.  Only because of His tender mercy. 

This past Monday, exactly one week after Harper said no to joining our family, Ian officially said yes.



What a difference a week makes.


Back in January, as I was paging through my Bible during prayer time at church, I stumbled into the book of Ecclesiastes.  A book filled with reality checks.  A book which reminds us that life is short, and that how we spend our lives matters very much.

Nestled inside that book were several verses that particularly pierced my heart that morning.  Just that week, Harper's picture had been featured all over her country as a child who needed a family.  The fear of losing her was great, and I was struggling to give my fear to the Lord when I read:

"Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
If the clouds are full of rain,
They empty themselves upon the earth;
And if a tree falls to the south or the north,
In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.
He who observes the wind will not sow,
And he who regards the clouds will not reap.
As you do not know what is the way of the wind,
Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good."



The Lord spoke deep into my heart as I read those verses.

Just cast your bread upon the waters.  Don't let worry or fear block you from doing what God has called you to do.  Don't hold back, just go!

Quit looking for signs and assurances.  Quit waiting for just the right moment or circumstances. Just cast your bread upon the waters, and go.

Let God write the story, and trust Him for the outcome.


Last week on our longest day, after my worst fear had come true, I found those verses again.  I read them with tears dripping.  Cast your bread.  Do not hold back.

Do not let heartache keep you from doing what you were called to do.  Quit waiting for the rain, quit worrying over the wind.

Let God write the story.


Do not hold back.

"As you do not know what is the way of the wind,
Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good."

Cast your bread.

I am so grateful we did.


17 comments:

  1. God truly had a plan all along, he knew exactly the time and places you needed to be in order to meet this precious boy. Praise him that you followed and trusted!

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  2. Thank you! I needed to read that today as my fears and worries were starting to get to me.

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  3. You are where God means you to be. What joy He has brought to Ian and to your whole family! Mysterious ways, indeed. God Bless Ian on his journey to a new life. God blessed you with this beautiful new son. Tears of joy here, knowing that Ian said yes! samm

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  4. Thank you! I needed this reminder today - so often we do want just "one more" assurance...and then another....and another...when instead we need to walk steadfastly in the direction He has laid out for us. Praying for your family!

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  5. I am so happy for you all. He is perfect for your your family and you guys are perfect for him

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  6. Is it just me or do they look a little alike? =) Maybe it's just because they are both from EE. He is precious!

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  7. This is such a sweet testimony, Mrs. Nalle. I've got tears of joy for your family. Ian and Aaron look just precious together! We're surely praying you through this exciting new part of your journey.
    - Heidi D.

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  8. Tears reading this.. I am so happy for you and your family. That little boy belongs with you.
    Hugs. Debbie Marks

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  9. On my wall I have~ Psalm 30:11
    "You have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with JOY!"
    Beautiful post Julia, Ecclesiastes is my favorite book in the OT. :o)
    (((((((HUGS))))))))))

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  10. Amazing! So exciting that Ian said yes! Congratulations!

    So now can I ask...doesn't it look like Ian and Aaron can get in a lot of trouble together? Haha, that is what brothers are for! I have no doubt that the Lord has BIG plans for these two boys. I look forward to hearing stories of adventures as all of your sons grow up into amazing men!

    Prayers for all through this time of excitement and transition. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Becky

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  11. He was waiting for you and God chose this path for all of you. We just have to believe that he knows what we need. Peace.

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  12. These boys... future best friends!

    Thank you for posting... this scripture really touched my heart, where my life is right now. Thank you. I'm praying for you all!

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  13. Wow...I needed to hear that today.

    And I can't believe how like both of you this kid looks! Actually, both kids.

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  14. Aaron looks absolutely overjoyed with his brother! Hugging seems to come naturally to your precious Ian! God's gift for your faithfulness. Thank you God. We will continue prayers for Harper as well... xoxo Gretchen in Oregon.

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  15. John Edward has the largest hands I've ever seen on a 10 year old! Piano lessons?!

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Loving words from kind people make our hearts glad!