Trusting Him

As you know, soon we will be adding a precious new daughter into our family. She is about nine or ten years old. When one goes about researching how to successfully add an older child to your family through adoption, the information out there can only be described as harrowing. Makes me glad I didn't do much research before saying yes to adopting an older child (outside of searching God' s heart on the matter)! These children can have many issues like attachment disorders, post traumatic stress, intense grieving, educational problems, ugly behavioral issues, etc.

I asked a friend for advice on how to prepare. She said, "why don't you just expect the worst and then you'll be pleasantly surprised with the good moments". Sounded wise to me, at first. I've taken this approach before in other situations countless times.

But something felt wrong this time.

Is it wise for a Christian to take this view? I mean, I trusted that God led us to this child. Yes, it may be a very difficult road, but it in the path God chose for us. He promises to take care of us. Shouldn't I chose to expect the best and trust God for the hard parts?

Expecting the worst causes me to worry and fret. Expecting the best fills me with hope (and hope is my word for the year 2010). When I have hope, I jump over my concerns.

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him"

Nahum 1:7

I am choosing hope today. About what do you need to choose hope?