Will You Take That Call?

Can I ask you a question? Has God ever asked you to do anything you didn't want to do? I mean, think about all the people He called upon throughout history. Take, for instance, Gideon. Gideon had a tough time seeing past all that had occurred and the legacy of weakness that plagued his family. He argued, he made excuses, he asked for sign after sign, giving God every opportunity to change His mind. He didn't. Then there were people who never even made the front page, people God may not have called on by name, but who certainly got caught up in the story. For instance, the Bible makes specific mention of Mrs. Noah in the account of her husband's commission, but what if she didn't even like animals? What if she got seasick? 

Two years ago, God gave us a special call. It was difficult, it was a complete diversion from what we ever saw as normal, and it was wonderful! What a privilege to give two young, beautiful children a home! What a joy to see Christmas through tiny eyes again! What a blessing to hear the prayers of little minds at bedtime! What a delight to work until our bodies ached and our minds were reduced to mush, for the glory of the Lord's purposes! Today, that calling is no longer ours. Today, that calling firmly rests in the hands of two people I pray will obey it wholeheartedly and enjoy it as we did. But what of us? This place where we are right now is not what we want. This place where we are right now is empty. But, who says this is not a call? 

Four years ago, I was in an accident. I searched for a purpose in that accident; it made no sense to me whatsoever. Neither of us was seriously injured, demanding we courageously fight our way, with God's help, through recovery. No story that would make headlines there. Scott and I had just dumped a boatload of money into my vehicle, figuring we'd be keeping it forever. The insurance company only paid us a fraction of that, enough for a down payment on a newer but otherwise comparable vehicle. That hardly tasted of victory. Then, our new commission came, one that rendered our replacement vehicle impractical. If God knew these children were coming, why didn't He provide a more suitable vehicle or -- better yet -- protect my older, family-friendly vehicle from the accident in the first place? What was the point? I still can't say, but I do know the young man whose vehicle hit mine has been on my prayer list since that day. God has never provided me with a neon sign blinking, "THAT'S IT!" but I refuse to concede my encounter that night was without purpose. I refuse to let it be without purpose, and until God shows me otherwise, I will do what I can -- pray.

And as I sat contemplating the last two years, feeling as if our calling was ripped from us, it occurred to me, what if this is our calling? For two years we have loved on those babies. For two years we have tried to teach them all we knew about living life with integrity, and loving others, and the blessing of family, and choosing God above all others. For two years we have surrounded them with people who would care about them, preserve their innocence, and pray for them. For two years we have taught them how to pray and to worship even through the storms of life. For two years we tended to their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. For what? Maybe for now. Maybe that we might have developed such a love for them that even though we are apart, our hearts are so closely intertwined, they are on our minds and in our prayers continuously. Maybe that the love for them kindled in us might compel us to pray for them without ceasing.

I don't want this call. I want our old commission back. It had become comfortable to us. It was crazy and loud, but it was home and family. Everyone was safe and life was normal. It is what our hearts yearn for. But, here we are. With a new purpose. God is calling us to a new chapter, and though He hasn't quite revealed it to us, it's going to be great, a redemption story. Because that is the business God is in, and we work for Him.