Friday, April 26, 2013

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like...


"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy that field."

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I spend a lot of time thinking about the Kingdom of God and my place in it. I think about what it means that God's ways are not my ways, but also how I need and want to be conformed to His likeness. And if the Kingdom works the way I think it does, I know that the world won't understand it. Consequently, the world may not always understand me.

But I don't mind.

Because, you see, I have discovered hidden treasure.

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"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!"

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When I first set my eyes on this treasure I just knew. (Actually, I've known for quite some time that God was up to something, but I didn't know what . . . or who . . . or when.) In that moment, a sense of urgency overwhelmed me. With my hands shaking and my heart racing I sprang into action, knowing full well that mine and Sam's lives were about to change. Again. And forever.

Conventional wisdom might have said, "Are you sure you're not getting in over your head?" But the wisdom of God whispered, "Bring. It. On." 

I know I haven't seen the end of his faithfulness. 

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"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and the birds come and make nests in its branches."

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I have so very little to offer, and for that reason I'm thankful that God's economy is not the same as mine. His ways know no limits. He can take my mustard-seed-sized resources and abilities and make out of them something far beyond me.

Money? No problem. Time? Non issue. Resources? Unlimited.

So I approach Him with a willing heart and open hands.

"Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done."

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"But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

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In my seeking, I have found treasure.

Treasure so great that I now have a growing pile of earthly possessions waiting to be sold in pursuit of it. 

A treasure buried thirteen years ago on the other side of the ocean.

A happy, loving, smiling, hugging, dancing little treasure who is sure to change the world. Who will most definitely change me.

It is my joy and privilege to introduce you to...

Sam's future big brother.

My future son.

Anthony David. (Anthony, meaning "priceless, of infinite worth." David, meaning, "beloved of God".)


21 comments:

  1. oh this makes me weep. LOVE! xoxoxoxo

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    1. It is a BLESSING to know people who will weep when we we weep (happy or otherwise!). Thanks for the love.

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  2. This brings tears to my eyes! Please email me your address; I want to help!!!!

    Shelly from His Kids Camp
    shelly@shellyburke.net

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  3. Oh, Grace. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Anthony had been listed again and then when he was on MFFM page (Thank you, Jesus!) I kept checking to see who his family would be! How joyous to read it is you!! What a lovely mother and sister that wonderful boy will be gaining.
    With tears of joy,
    Carol

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    1. Carol!! So wonderful to hear from you. I kinda miss our little group. Thanks for the encouragement. Hope you all are doing so well! I bet Nico is getting so big!

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  4. So happy for you. You are seriously one of the most beautiful creatures on the whole planet. I love following along on this journey God has you on!

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    1. You are too kind. Truly! But thank you just same for your compliment :) I appreciate the encouragement more than you know.

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  5. God is truly amazing. He writes a good story, I tell you!

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  6. Oh my goodness I am so excited to see this! This little guy has been on my heart for a long time and I know that his first chance for a family did not work out. I am so excited to know he will join you and Sam! I know that all three of you will be blessed!

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  7. Oh, yours is the perfect family for this darling boy! I'm am so thankful for your heart! Congratulations!!

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  8. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My heart has been crying for this little guy since things didn't work out for him last time, knowing what kind of life he was facing and that he had been so close to getting out. I praised God when I saw him relisted so that he could find a family again... and today I saw on the RR facebook group that his family was YOU! I followed your journey to Sam - which was amazing, I have a lot of love and respect for you as a person even though I don't really 'know' you... and my day was made. As I am young (24) and likely a future single mom (let's put it this way, the men aren't beating down my door), I have really enjoyed reading your story... I'm going to need a roadmap when I get there! So seeing that you were his family... just gave me so much joy. He's going to be so perfect in your family. I'll be following along again and hopefully supporting you along the way, once I replenish my bank account from the Mulligan Stew! I can't wait to see him finally come home!

    And by the way, Anthony was my uncle's name. He was my mom's little brother, born in 1962 with down syndrome and lived 10 years before his heart defect took him back home to the Lord. He's part of the reason for my love of children with special needs. <3

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  9. Look at that chin! He is so sweet! Lots of prayers for you!

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  10. Grace I was checking out the "My family found me page yesterday at RR" On the side bar my eye caught~ "Tommy for the Knuth family". I thought WHAT??!! I checked and it was you!! I was too busy to let you know I saw!! Tom was on his way (5 hour drive) to pick up our new and very last blessing for another visit. (I'll e-mail you about her later :o)
    CONGRATULATIONS!! We are thrilled and over joyed!! (((HUGS)))

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  11. I've just paid off my debt from my own adoption (single mama to a 3 year old Ethiopian treasure) and am saving for adoption #2, but I will find a way to support you on your journey to Anthony. I can't wait to see your family together!

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  12. I am thrilled for you to be bringing Anthony home! I've been praying for him for a long time and Im excited to follow your journey! I'll be praying for you! God bless!!

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  13. I thought someone else was going to adopt Anthony so shocked to see him here, but in a very good way.

    Congrats Grace, God bless you and Sam and Anthony.

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  14. Congratulations! I know he will bring you much joy!

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  15. Yay!!!! Grace, I found your blog today, and I am so excited for you! I love the stories our Father writes! His are always the BEST ones! I can't wait to follow along and see how it unfolds! I will be praying for you...

    Maybe we will meet again in Bulgaria! We are going back too!!! Our newest little girl is "Fiona" on the MFFM page!

    By the way, I love seeing the pictures of how well Sam is doing! She's a long way from that little girl I met in Sofia last August!!!

    Blessings,
    Melanie

    www.faithsfeat.com

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    1. Melanie, SO wonderful to hear from you. CONGRATULATIONS on your little girl!!! Wouldn't it be great it we could meet up again? What a story that would be! The Horton family, who was at the hotel at the same time as us as well, it going back for a little boy, "Gary" on RR. God's blessings to you!

      Ps. I LOVE reading your blog. Its a great encouragement to me that you are so very honest about your life, struggles and all! God is so glorified through your story.

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