Please pray for my friend

Through this adoption journey, I have made new friends who are on this journey at the same time. One of these dear women is in China with her husband this week. They left last Thursday. We have many things in common. They have been waiting to bring home a seven year old daughter. We have gone through all of the immigration challenges of the past year together. Our documents logged into China four days apart. They got through the next few hoops a bit ahead of us.
Sadly, they are not bringing this little girl home. The circumstances are difficult and painful. They are confused and grieving. It is a reminder that all of us must hold our plans loosely. When God calls us to walk in obedience, we may think we know the outcome, but it may be quite different than we imagined or would choose it to be. Following God in obedience results in His glory, not necessarily in our happiness or an easy life. Scripture is full of examples of people who walked in obedience and endured difficult and painful trials. Many of us have read missionary stories and been amazed at the hardships faced by those called by God. Even right now, I know two young families called to ministry in China that are enduring great hardships.
My children could tell you my favorite passage of the bible is Hebrews Chapter 11, "The Hall of Faith". It is an account of many that walked by faith and accomplished great things for God's glory, but most did not see the fruit of their obedience in their lifetime and many endured severe trials, torture and death. Sometimes, God is gracious and gives us glimpses of the fruit of our obedience, but we cannot expect that to always be the case. Sometimes we just have to trust He has a plan and purpose. Chapter 11 is followed by a verse I love - "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
Please pray for Cheri and her family. If you would like to leave a message for them, you can leave a comment for them here.