"I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted."
Job 42:2
I do not pretend to know the purposes of the Lord, but I do know that this week we have, quite clearly, seen this aspect of God's character on display. Since April or May of this year, we have been hearing murmurs about the boys' grandmother being a likely placement for the boys. Round and round we've gone, crossing hurtle after hurtle. It all culminated in our most recent court date, held on August 6, 2013. We left court that day more discouraged than we've ever been - more beaten down by the system than we've ever felt. Tears were shed in front of numerous people who were powerless to change the course of events unfolding before us.
Now, I feel the need to explain myself a bit. If you've followed our story, you know that we are totally bought into foster care and the goal of reunification. We are champions for biological families...within reason. This case, however, has gone so far beyond reason that we feel an increasingly strong need to advocate on behalf of the two boys in our home. The two boys in our home are thriving more than we've ever seen them thrive. K-man's countenance is virtually unrecognizable in relation to the way he came to us in November of 2011. They are desperately attaching to us as "mommy" and "daddy" after being in our care 20 of the last 22 months, B-boy being only 27 months old. Not only that, but they've been in care numerous times before, and there are countless reasons why we have strong reservations about placing the boys with their grandmother...reasons which have evidence to support them.
But I digress, what we heard after court in August was that the department was going to do pretty much all that they could to approve the grandmother's home study. I'll be bold and say we really felt like they were willing to cut a lot of corners in order to get this thing done. We fully expected to begin transition visits within the month.
Well, last week I was paid a visit from my case manager, who announced that the grandmother has been once and for all denied for placement of these boys. No real explanation. I didn't push it. She, honestly, seemed a bit defeated having to even share the news with me. I just sat in awe of a God who can do whatever He pleases.
"Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases."
Psalm 115:3
"There is no wisdom, no insight,
no plan that can succeed against the LORD."
Proverbs 21:30
"Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted;
propose your plan, but it will not stand.
For God is with us...The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread."
Isaiah 8:10,13
"For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?"
Isaiah 14:27
"The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations."
Psalm 33:10-11
There we sat at court last month, crying and pleading on behalf of our boys, feeling terribly helpless and hopeless. We were trusting God to comfort us. We were trusting God to use it all for our good and His glory, but we were also clearly putting a lot of trust in ourselves - feeling hopeless because WE were powerless in the situation. He keeps renewing our confidence that He can, in fact, do anything He wants to do. This week, we have seen Him frustrate the plans of men, thwart evil strategies, and bring the counsel of the nations to nothing.
I want to be careful here that I don't seem to be only claiming events like this one as evidence of God's sovereignty. God's sovereignty certainly does not equal God acting according to what we think should happen. God is sovereign Period. Whether I understand it or not. Whether I like it or not. The boys could have been placed with grandma and I would have still proclaimed His sovereignty over all things. This particular scenario, however, was so clearly shrouded in evil, that we see the Lord's hand in sorting it out. All parties were leaning...no, not leaning...charging down one path, and there was deceit and untruth all over it. In a very abrupt manner, they've been inexplicably stopped in their tracks, and we are praising our good and loving God.
It is all still far from over. There is still another family member being evaluated. We should hear by the end of the month whether this family member has been approved. Please continue to pray for our boys. Your prayers have great power, because they enter the throne room of the Most High God - Creator and Sustainer and Ruler over all things.
To Him be the glory!
