Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Is He Speaking?

I have been carrying around a lot of doubts lately...a lot of worries...a lot of sorrow. 2008 is proving to be an extremely emotional year for me, which in and of itself is not a bad thing, but leaves me in an uncomfortable place at the moment. Do you ever have those times in your life when many changes happen, when life feels out of kilter for a long stretch? I know it is during these times that we tend to grow a lot, even at my advanced age, but that doesn't make it fun.

And I find myself feeling weepy an awful lot lately, which is totally not me.

I think what bothers me the most though, is that my thoughts are drowning out my ability to figure out what God wants for me. I am confused and questioning, and hearing nothing...and it is my own fault.

There is news on the adoption front that now Kazakhstan is, at the very least, temporarily closed to US adoptive parents. This latest bit of information is causing me to really look hard at our hopes and dreams for the future and wonder if I am having a big STOP sign put up in front of me for a reason, or if this is just one test along a winding road that eventually will lead to our daughters coming home. This is in addition to the other difficulties that lay ahead that still are not resolved. My mom and I had a conversation about this recently, and I am not sure if I expressed myself well enough. I also find it hard to talk about with others, as the emotions run so deep that it feels imbalanced and too complicated to go into. I haven't sorted it all out yet, and I sit here waiting and wondering, wishing I would have a large billboard placed right in front of me to steer me. I am willing to accept anything He wants, but discerning that right now seems impossible.

It also feels kind of lonely.

Then I think long and hard about committment, sticktoitiveness, and two smiling faces staring back at me who are counting on me...and I know I really have no choice but to see it through to completion. As one important person in my life reminded me via email, if God really wants to put a stop to something, He will do it and I will have no doubts.

Interestingly, this very conversation has come up in an email dialogue I am having this week with one of our youth group members, a bright young person who is asking all the right questions, searching and trying to figure out what this means for her life. All the while I am thinking to myself "What in the world are you doing helping ANYONE try and see how God speaks to them...you can't hear Him at all right now!". It feels false for me, of all people, to be in a position to talk about such things.

Don't get me wrong, I am not moping around, head hanging low, wallowing in anything. But my inner dialogues lately are not exactly filled with hope and happiness. Our friends leaving is cutting very deep and it is a challenge to keep the joy there while they are still here, knowing just how empty our lives will feel for a very long time after they are gone. Then there is the emotion about the girls, and all that brings to the table. And I try to live day by day, not thinking too much about it all and not fret about what tomorrow will or won't bring and enjoy today, but there is this underlaying discomfort about it all and peace remains ellusive.

Perhaps if I can manage to quiet my soul, I will be able to hear Him. I have no doubt He is speaking to me right now, but I am uncertain what I need to do to turn down the volume so I can listen to Him.

Then there is the risk one runs in expressing such thoughts publicly. Sometimes I really don't know why I am doing this, putting my more intimate thoughts out there for others to judge me with. It sometimes leaves me feeling vulnerable knowing that many think I am a fruitcake for thinking a certain way or feeling something. Or that there is this expectation that I am someone I am really not. What started as a journal for my boys to help them understand what their adoptions has meant to me has grown to something bigger than that, and I am not really sure why. But since this is for them, when I am tempted to be less than forthright, when I backspace and erase something and try and make it sound more Disneyesque, I realize that is not fair to them...that I don't have to be afraid of being vulnerable with them. In fact, it is exactly what I am trying to teach them...to be bold and fearless when expressing their feelings, to know that sharing your emotions should never be embarassing and can lead to more fulfilling relationships. I have been reminded of that truth a few times this week when I have received emails from a couple of people who have taken the risk of sharing their hearts with me.

But the whole public versus private blog issue is answered for me often, particularly today when I received 11 emails off the blog from parents who are currently struggling with their children, and they feel alone, scared, and misunderstood. They come here to this virtual place and read something that offers them hope, or simply makes them feel a little less lonely, and I am reminded then that although I may not be hearing God right now, He is still using me so someone else can hear Him speak to them.

The past year and a half, since I started the blog on a whim, has really given new meaning to the phrase "My life is like an open book.". The ups and downs, the good and the bad, all of it is out there for all of you to take what you can from it. And the temptation to sugar coat it all and become Pollyanna is there, but then I doubt anyone would really care a whit about what I wrote. Real life is messy. it is also wonderful, challenging, scary, and tender all at the same time. Right now happens to be one of those uncertain spells, and I am so very grateful to those who have cared enough about me to write me, or who know me in person and snuggle up next to me and put their arm around my shoulder. When I stop to think about it, if we are not honest with others when we are going through the rough times, we deny them the opportunity to express their love for us, which fills them up as they offer us comfort. But allowing our vulnerabilities to show through can be oh-so-frightening, because it gives others the power to hurt us as well.

So tonight I sign off wondering why I am writing these things...and yet feeling as if I should. It seems like every time I follow through when writing about something that my gut says I should, I am surprised to find it has touched someone's heart. Not sure what all this has to do with anyone other than me and my own stupid thought processes, but something told me to write it tonight, so here I am...actually feeling quite foolish about it. I will go to bed with a slightly heavy heart and kicking myself for feeling that way in the first place when my life is filled with so much good stuff. But the smiles of friends from this evening still linger, and the thought that He hears my pleas even when I can't hear His carries me through. Good night.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cindy - as to you comment regarding Kazakhstan adoptions: my understanding from friends of mine that are going through the Kazakhstan process is that dossiers are still being processed through the NY Embassy, and that it is those agencies that use the DC embassy that are temporarily on hold. It depends what agency the state is organized in as to what embassy they can use. My understanding is that it is not the Kazakhstan government that has put them on hold, but the new Embassador at the DC embassy. Seems he wants to review the process before he proceeds with processing dossiers. Have you heard something different than this?

Anonymous said...

I'm curious on where you'd heard that Kaz adoptions are temporarily closed. I can't find the news on the consular sites.

Anonymous said...

Hang in there, Sweetie. I am praying for you! As the other fokls said, I have seen discussions on other boards that indicate this is a temporary halt, not permanent.

Take care,
Dee

Anonymous said...

Cindy - I just want to say thanks for responding to my email this week with such encouragement. This brought you to mind - not in the "rebellious Israel" way - but in the "waiting for His timing and glory" kind of way ;)

"Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him". Is 30:18

Laura said...

So far the only place I've ssen the information is on the jcisc website. I won't believe it until I see it posted by the Kazakh officials.

http://www.jcics.org/Kazakhstan.htm

Laura

Sarah said...

I love reading your blog, but the white on black background leaves me seeing lines after I read and I can't always get through posts....would you mind a different color scheme? I know it's very selfish of me to ask, but I'm wondering if I'm not the only one and am thinking you probably don't often read your own blog so maybe you hadn't noticed? Or there is something wrong me and I might just need to deal! :)

Sarah

Anonymous said...

Cindy:

After reading your post, tonight, I was trying to think of something encouraging for you. Then I opened my e-mail, and found this from a friend:

Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.


And finally, I share with you the verse that I kept posted on our home office door when we were waiting for our children. I went through so many emotions during those long months. Whatever you are feeling right now is OK: grief, anger, anxiety, loneliness, impatience, uncertainty, hope, determination, love, joy – whatever it may be, I believe He is OK with it, as long as we are honest with Him and seek Him.

May this comfort you, as it comforted me all those years ago:

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Whether or not you feel His presence, and whether His answer to the adoption is a “yes” or a “no,” He is with you and with the girls and with your friends. His love and care know no boundaries and will always connect you to one another.

Wishing you His peace and comfort,

Peggy in Virginia

Unknown said...

Cindy, you are not the only one who would like a large billboard placed right in front of her to give direction. I feel that adoption is the right path, but it is definitely an emotional path. The "bumps" (i.e. - Kazakhstan being closed or temporarily suspended and additionally for me having our dossier rejected for translation problems) also make me question God's plan. Am I listening like I am supposed to or is my own internal voice leading the way. I don't think faith is ever truly easy.

I so appreciate all your honesty in your posts! It helps me feel that I am not the only one struggling through these emotions! The emails and comments you receive are a testament to the fact that your words touch so many of us. If you ever decided to make your blog private, I would understand, but I would dearly miss your honest and open discussions. You are providing your sons with a wonderful view of their mother.

Margaret and Tom said...

Cindy,
I have read your blog often since we started our Kyrgyzstan adoption process and gained hope and joy through your family. As well, I have ready your thought provoking posts on the group and have gained understanding. I haven't always commented, but I wanted you to know I look up to you as one would an older sister (no, not to say you are "older", ha, ha, but hopefully you know what I mean). But, in all seriousness, you have much wisdom and you have the gift of candor. But it is candor that does not lack a true feeling behind it...it is real and honest and has a heart. I will tell you honestly that you touch many people, many who you don't "know", with your blog entries. I know you will hear God in time and know his plan for you. Not that I am an expert, I am only beginning to understand this myself, but our adoption process thus far has opened up a new world to me to show me what He can do. As they say prayer is here to help us, not to help God...the answers are there, keep the faith, keep listening for direction, and keep posting your true thoughts. Thanks again for all you do for us, many who you many not even realize are listening. Happy Easter to you and your family!
Margaret