​I often daydream about our adoption.  I try to picture in my head what the birthmom and Baby will look like. I wonder what her name is.  I look forward to praying for her by name.  I wonder if Baby will be a he or she.  I wonder what Baby’s personality will be like.  In the waiting phase of adoption, there’s not much that Craig and I know about our growing family.  One day we’ll get a phone call from our agency that we’ve been matched.  Until then, this adoption story is full of unknowns.
 
All this daydreaming about our adoption got me thinking about adoption and its part in the Bible.  There are numerous examples in the Bible: Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2).  Esther was adopted by her uncle, Mordecai (Esther 2).  Jesus was adopted by Joseph (Matthew 1).   And, as I became more familiar with adoption in scripture, I came to better understand the adoption story and God as the adoptive Father. 

 Be strong and courageous.
 
These words kept finding me this week and oh, how I needed them.
 
I do not consider myself especially strong or courageous.  In fact, I can be pretty wimpy.  I don’t like the dark.  I prefer fluff to actual news… I’m not even strong enough to make it through the ASPCA commercials.  It’s no surprise then that when thinking about everything involved in adoption, I can get overwhelmed and that bit of strength and courage goes out the door.  Here’s a peak inside Beth’s wimpy head: There’s an unlimited waiting period? Alright, sure.  The fees in adoption vary? Oh, by thousands of dollars?  Right.  I’m looking at $27,000, you say?  Okay.  And, I’m becoming responsible for a child in a crazy world? Yeah, that’s not overwhelming.
 
When Joshua 1:9 kept showing up this week, I took note and became curious.  I wanted to know what I could learn about being strong and courageous from the Book of Joshua.  God’s Word did not disappoint.

Tired? Worn out? Zapped? Sapped? Frazzled? Or, plum tuckered out?
 
Yes to all of the above for me.
 
Am I the only one exhausted?!  Amen. How many of us can relate to feeling drained?  Me. I can!
 
I. am. weary.  You too?
 
There are many things in life that make you weary: Waiting for the promotion or interview, waiting for your health to improve, waiting for Prince Charming to show up, waiting for that positive pregnancy test… Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
 
Today, Craig and I sit and wait with you.  We are waiting for Baby.  But, as we wait along with you, it’s my hope that we can bring all of us some hope.