Misplaced Hope

In July, my daughter got her license to foster children and soon after, she received her first placement,  an adorable 14 month old baby boy.  We were all excited and overjoyed with the addition to the family.  The bond he had with Bethany was immediate.  It has been so sweet to see him grow and blossom under her love, nurturing and parenting.

Not long after entering her home, we found out the mother's rights would be terminated.  At the time, no family members were stepping up to adopt the little guy, and Bethany gladly raised her hand to say she would adopt.  The paperwork was filled out in early October, and we began hoping for the adoption to be finalized by Christmas.  What a gift!  My daughter to have a child and us another grandchild for Christmas!!

Not long after, our hopes were dimmed.  A person with family connections showed interest in adopting.  Because this person had family connections, Bethany was told they would most likely be chosen over her.  We all have been reeling over this news.  We went from thinking we might have this little fella as a permanent member of the family, to being fearful he may not even be with us for Christmas.  This HOPE we had was being dashed, right before our eyes.

Isn't that the way it so often is in life?  We have hopes in one thing or another, only to have them dashed or disappointed?  Relationships, financial security, health, the list goes on.  All important, but  the problem we have is if we are hoping in them, our hopes are misplaced.  Hopes in anything on this earth will always end in disappointment.  Because hope doesn't exist here on earth.  Real hope only comes from above.

I think it is fitting to focus on something to hope in this time of year.   This time of Advent.  This time leading up to Christmas.  The reason the angels sang and shepherds visited the manger was because the real reason for hope had finally come.  Jesus!  This one whom the world had awaited!  

We sing about that in carols at Christmas every year.  

"Come thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set thy people free.

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth thou art.

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart."

He is the only one we can place our hope in and not be disappointed.  He is the true and living hope.

Now, what about our daughter and this child she desires to adopt?  Have we lost hope that it can happen?  Does she just give up and not pursue adoption?  No!  We still pray things will work out there.  She hasn't given up.  But not because she has hope in the system.  We certainly have seen that the system is flawed on more than one occasion.  But for the very reason I mentioned before, we have hope in the LORD!  And can trust HIM!  We don't know the outcome, but we can trust this little guy to HIM and trust the Lord will put him in the home HE sees fit.  And we can rejoice even now, knowing where ever this child ends up, is what the Lord deems best.

 We can be thankful no matter what disappointment we face, we can know we have real hope in the Lord. This Jesus who was born in a manger to set people free.  This Jesus who grew up to die on the cross to redeem our sinful souls.  This Jesus is our hope.  This Jesus is our salvation.  Place your hope in Him today!

"O holy night the stars are brightly shining.

It was the night of our dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

Till He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees

O hear the angel voices

O night divine.

O night when Christ was born.

O night divine.  O night divine."

*Inspired by the adult Sunday School lesson taught by Allen Pellum at Community Bible Church, Dec. 4, 2016.  Advent Week One: Hope.