Day 43 - Never Lose Faith!

Happy Saturday everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather God has given us today. Let's make sure we thank Him today! Last night was fantastic. Kim and I went to the Tropicana in Atlantic City and got there around 6:00. We decided to check in and then walk to the outlet malls for some shopping. Great conversation and a beautiful night for a walk. We bought a couple necessities then went back to the casino to meet Brian & Jennifer for a 9:00 o'clock meal. We met them downstairs and walked over to the restatraunt and was seated right away. We had an amazing dinner and there was never a break in the conversation. We all had a really good time. 2 hours for dinner but that's because we all don't eat our food rare like Brian! After dinner they left to go home and Kim and I hit the sheets for bed. In the past, Kim would go to the room and I would drink and gamble all night. But it's different now, we really enjoyed being together, being with friends, and not leaving each other.
This morning we departed around 8am to get home because we have some friends coming over for a barbeque and some games. It should be a lot of fun.
The real reason for this post today is to share a story of my clients, John and Susan Dugan who have been with me for many years and only over the past 3-4 years have John and I become close. We would golf in the annual member guest tournament but would really never talk about life.
You see, I knew from meeting with them during tax season that they were having trouble conceiving a baby for many years. They are both similar in age to me and Kim. They have had many bouts of miscarriages during the past few years. And they have tried IBF numerous times and it didn't take. But John and Susan were always very positive everytime I met with them. John and I went to Catholic high school together and we knew each other but not good enough to be best friends. This past year we had a heart to heart in our tax appointment and they let me know everything that has been happening. John and Susan believe in God. We never talked about it much before. Actually, we never talked about it until I started this post that they follow.
Every day I get a text from John saying that my posts really put things into perspective in their lives and how they print them out and put them in their prayer book. Amazing! They are now trying the adoption route and we all know that could be a long process. I pray for them everyday, even if he doesn't ask for it. You see, John and Susan hold down great jobs, they live a modest life and they save and live for the moment they could be parents. I can honestly say that John and Susan would be the best parents in the world. For everything they have been through, how can they not show a child so much uncondinional love? The Dugan's are amazing people and I truly believe John is a man of God and Susan is a women of God. But I often wonder if they blame God? If they questions God? How could you not????? Why me, why us....these are thoughts that would go through most peoples mind. But I had a conversation with John not to long ago and explained that this might not be God's plan for them. A couple biblical quotes and stories came to mind when praying for the Dugan's:

Psalm 55:22

²² Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you;.

 

Sarah's Story, the wife of Abraham         

Sarah is married to Abraham. She is unable to conceive, although married for many years. Eventually she is not only unable to conceive but beyond childbearing years. (ie she is old as well...)
Ironically she is married to Abraham who has been promised descendants that will number like the stars in the sky and the sand on a beach. A great promise and yet for Abraham and Sarah, the fulfilment seems beyond all reach.
It is at this point that The Lord comes to Abraham once more.
"Then the LORD said, I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son. Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought,
After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?'
14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.
And the result??? Not long after this Sarah and Abraham's son Isaac is born, one of the great patriarchs of the Jewish people.
"For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37)

 

What does the story of Sarah teach us? God is faithful to his promises. What he promised to Abraham and Sarah he was faithful in fulfilling. God does not make this exact same promise to each of us but we do learn something else from Sarah's story:
God is the giver of life and he can bring about miracles. We do not know what God may be doing in our lives - even when it seems like he is not doing anything at all. God can surprise us!

Acts 7:21                     
And when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son.

Psalm 27:10                    

For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.

I believe if John and Susan believe in miracles and believe that the Lord Jesus Christ can do anything he wants, then she will bear a child. And I believe that If we all pray for this to happen together, it will happen. And if God doesn't want it to happen, then it will not happen! Maybe his plan was for them to take a child out of a rough family life, an unfortunate life, a life of sin. And if this is God's plan, then adoption will happen. Just like Pharaoh's daughter adopted a son.
And if this child's farther or mother has forsake this child, then the Dugan's will take him in and bring him to Christ. And this child will be THEIR child. It will be God's child. And I truly believe that any child they receive will be the most blessed child on the face of this earth and will become a world changer.

After John read my blog last night he sent me this following text:
Just got out & its official vaca time. Leaving tomorrow morn & can't wait. Todays blog was great but that story even greater. I'm looking forward to vaca w/ susan, the  pups & rest of my family. Just relaxing & taking in the scenery.  I promise u this pal, I'll do my best to reflect on the beauty God surrounds us with & say a few prayers along the way. Giving thanks! Amen! Thank u for opening up my eyes to how truly great our God is. We r all very blessed. God puts us through tough times so we can get through them by having faith. Its been a long hard road these past few years but the payoff will be so worth it. Ill see ya when we return...love ya bro!

Now, If that isn't faith and a man of God then I don't know what is? AMEN? Let's all take some time out tonight to pray for the Dugan's! It would mean the world to me!

I love you John and Susan and we are here for you whenever you call! Have a great vacation. Love you bro.

Song of the day: What It Means to be Loved - Mark Schultz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrXmHaBP-A4

Bible Verse of the day: Genesis 30:22
²² Then God remembered Rachel. God answered her prayer and made it possible for her to have children. ²³ So she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Then she said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” ²⁴ She named him Joseph [May He Give Another] and said, “May the Lord give me another son.”

Have a great rest of the weekend everyone!
Scott