Ephesians 1:5

He predestined us for adoption to sonship

 through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his

pleasure and will.......

Olivia's first day of school was rough.  She has very few friends in her "family" at school, and the ones she does have in her "family" are not in her classes.

She came home feeling blue.

I had to take a deep breath last night, because she has175 more days of 8th grade to face while I have a whole other world that I will be facing every day as well.

When I look back on our decision and prayers about adopting Olivia 13 years ago, I know that we never planned for her to walk through such difficult valleys along the way as our daughter.

We truly adopted her believing that we could give her a better life than the one she would have had growing up in an orphanage.

I think of all the different roads she has been on since becoming our daughter, and I have to believe that God is preparing her for a life of great ministry.  Her level of compassion is intensely deep.  Her understanding of how life is not always fair is unbelievably profound.

Looking back, I wouldn't change our decision and I know Olivia wouldn't change it either, but being adopted into a family doesn't always mean life will be perfect.  Just because we chose her does not mean that we are able to protect her from all the things this world hurls her way.

The same goes for all of us who walk with Jesus.

God has adopted all of us.

As a matter of fact, He planned to adopt us all from the beginning of time if we would simply accept Jesus as our Savior as the Bible says.

However, being adopted into His family does not protect us from all the world hurls our way either.

He's with us all along the way just like we are with Olivia all along the way.

He wants to walk the rough roads and the good roads beside us.

We are His children.

Today, as I venture back to the high school, I am praying fervently for Olivia as she reenters the middle school trying to find her way through a year that appears daunting.

I'm praying for all of you too as you face the challenges of your lives.

This life can be difficult. 

Thank goodness we know Who are Father is! I don't know where I'd be this morning without Him.