When Your Heart Sinks

Life stinks sometimes

Today I heard some bad news about my dear friends that are in the process of adopting not just one, or two, but three kids from Haiti.  I am fascinated with the idea that they want to increase their family by three.  Not are they making their home bigger but their hearts bigger too.  It's been crazy-good watching God school their family in this adoption process.

They might tell you different today though.  It has been an arduous journey, one that has been laced with prayer and trust in God.  Recently, they received some heart-stopping news that their official adoption papers got "thrown out".  There was some mystical error and it seems they must start over.

I don't know how you would take news like theirs...but I was hit cold and hard with sadness and this isn't even my family.  Tears streamed down my face as I texted an message of encouragement back.  My heart was breaking for them...they've worked this family expansion plan for a long time.  In fact, much time, effort, and money have been spent to get this procedure started and moving forward.  Most importantly though they have also held those three little kids near their to hearts and have already loved them into their home.

As my heart sank..I asked..."God, what are you up to?  Help make me some sense out of this?  God how can this be good?  Show us Your purpose!"  My mind immediately went to some dear friends in Jesus' inner circle...Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  Read John 11.

Imagine Martha's heart-sinking moment as she longingly looked to the horizon, with the cries of her sister's grief echoing over the silent frame of her dead brother.  Martha waited for three long agonizing days, as she hoped she would get some comfort from her Master.  The purpose of her wait was not revealed until Jesus declared it was time.  

I love the tender moment of restoration from this morbid story of life.  Jesus went to the grave site followed by the curious.  Can you hear their wondering questions?  "Help us make some sense out of this?  God how can this be good?  Show us Your purpose?!"  

Jesus' heart sank too with deep compassion over the loss of Lazarus. As He asked for the stone to be moved, dead silence met the sisters act of obedience.  Who wouldn't be confused about what Jesus was going to do next?  God's glory was revealed through Jesus' command "Lazarus, come out!"  God did this so that those sinking hearts would believe and know that only He could bring life out of death.

Only God can. 

When your world is hit bad news of something lost, or stolen or when death has left a sting, know that God has a purpose and a plan for your sinking heart of sadness.  Sometimes we see His glory revealed, sometimes we don't.  But know this...only God can bring restoration in the silence of your questions and brokenness.  Only God can bring restoration out of your obedience and trust.  Only God can bring new life to your dead places that need healing.  Only God can ask you to roll away your stones of unbelief so that His glory will be shown in your dark tombs.  

Only God can.