I think I’m naive.
Not about everything. But about some things.
For instance.
When I tell people we’re going to adopt from the Congo, which is by and large a pilot program for many adoption agencies. The response I get usually goes something like this:
The Congo? Wow! That’s a pilot program, right? That’s pretty brave of you guys. Isn’t there a travel advisory for the Congo? Isn’t it dangerous?
To which my response usually goes something like this:
Brave? Pilot program? Travel advisory? Um….
And then I realize that really, I have no idea what we’re getting ourselves into. We just know that when God planted this adoption seed in our hearts and we started doing copious amounts of research on foster, domestic, and international adoption. We kept coming back to the Congo.
So we said yes. In all our sweet naivety.
We truly don’t know what’s in store. And I think that’s okay. Because if we did, we might have said no. And then we wouldn’t have witnessed God at work in the ways we’ve already witnessed Him since filling out that application.
It makes me glad God doesn’t show us a detailed map, complete with every bumpy road and unexpected detour, before we agree to travel down a certain path.
I’m pretty sure if He did, we’d start to rely on the map instead of Him.
It makes me glad that with God sitting beside us, we don’t need a map. Not when He already knows the way.
We don’t need to know the ins and outs of the journey ahead. We just have to listen and obey and trust that He’s strong enough, smart enough, all-powerful enough, to get us through the roadblocks and the detours and the potholes as they come.
Let’s Talk: Have you ever signed up for something without knowing what you were really getting yourself into? How did it turn out? Do you think you would have done it if you’d known ahead of time what was in store?
I walk into all sorts of things with naivety. But one thing I’ve learned is God doesn’t want us afraid, so He reroutes us, sometimes it takes longer than if He barreled us through a short cut.
Exodus 13:17-18 taught me this (and my own life experiences) “Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God DID NOT lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near (shorter distance, for God said, ‘Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people AROUND by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea.” Around may take longer, but it opens doors to see miracles i.e Red Sea parting. I think I’d be afraid of all those Philistine giants and want to run back to familiarity, even if it was bondage.
God keeps us naive sometimes on purpose. To protect us. To learn trust.
Can’t wait to see Him part the Red Sea for you and your family and appreciate that you’re taking us on your journey to see it too!
That’s a really interesting perspective, Jessica. I’ve read that story of the Israelites escape from Egypt so many times…yet I never thought about it like that. I love that about God’s Word – it speaks in SO many different ways at SO many different times in our lives.
I’m eager to watch how God parts the sea for us too! I’m eager to see His glory!
Hey Katie!
Oh my yes. In 2009, I signed up for a mission trip to Slovakia thinking I knew all that I needed to know about the trip. Ha!
But I was naive about the spiritual attacks that come along with serving the Lord. God allowed my home to be attacked and by the time I boarded the plane, I felt like I had been through battle!
I tell you what, I was also naive about how the Lord is working overseas. Sometimes, as American Christians, we have the arrogance to think we are “bringing” God to others when we go on a mission trip. Not so!
I got there are saw that the Lord has been there doing wonderful things in Slovakia for many many years.
My prayer is to return this summer.
Great post! Thanks for reminding me how to pray for this trip!
Blessings,
Ruth
“Sometimes, as American Christians, we have the arrogance to think we are “bringing” God to others when we go on a mission trip. Not so!”
Amen, Ruth!! I went to Kenya several years ago, hoping I could help and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ, when really, I was the one who helped and CHALLENGED in my own faith. Because these people had nothing, yet lived as if they had everything. And here I had everything and struggled with joy.
This is such a blessed perspective to take away from your experience, Katie!
Exactly! I came away with the blessings and the encouragement from the Christians in Slovakia who had suffered through Communist oppression and knew what it meant to suffer for their faith. Isn’t God great when He puts us in our place like that??
Yes, I sign up for things like that all the time and I’ve grown from every single one.
Proud of you, lady!
~ Wendy
Again, we’re on similar pages with our blog posts today!
Working full time and doing grad school was. not. easy. I didn’t think it’d be so tough. But pursuing our dreams is rarely easy. I’m glad that sometimes God gives us those “blinders” so we can just focus on following him, even if it’s into a blazing inferno.
Of course, Katie, there are travel restrictions all over the world right now. There were huge restrictions when I went to Haiti, and there probably are now, as well. My group and I were perfectly safe. There’s never a 100% guarantee on anything.
I think you’re right to simply trust God will lead. When it comes time for you to look into the concerns, you’ll know what to do, or a trusted advisor will step in and help you. You and your husband are smart. Just keep doing your research. You guys are awesome! In the meantime, more prayers coming your way!
I LOVE that you are stepping forward in faith like this, Katie. No, you’re not sure what the future holds but you’ve obediently stepped forward and God will bless you for this! I’m praying for you– and I’m so inspired and moved by you. Can’t wait to read more about your journey.
Awesome Katie. God just wants obedience and that is what you and your husband is doing. Yes there are bumpy roads ahead. But from one who has been there and is expecting more bumpy roads ahead I would not change anything. Every day brings challenges and interesting behaviors with our adopted children, but looking back if we don’t go through these things none of us will grow! God is amazing and he means it all for our good!
I don’t tend to overanalyze what I’m going to do. There’s a difference between being practical and fearful, imo.
I love that you all are doing this. Many blessings to you! And I think as long as God’s involved, no matter how rough the road is, you all will be fine.
Katie, I love the wisdom in your words. I tend to be naive about certain things, even after I researched and studied for a long time. Becoming a published author has been an eye-opening experience for me.
God rewards us with unexpected blessings once we place our trust in Him. That’s not being naive, but faithful and obedient servants.
Love this part:
“It makes me glad God doesn’t show us a detailed map, complete with every bumpy road and unexpected detour, before we agree to travel down a certain path.
I’m pretty sure if He did, we’d start to rely on the map instead of Him.”
That is so, SO true! It reminds me also of Peter getting out of the boat & looking all around him (and subsequently freaking out) when he tried to walk toward Jesus, rather than keeping his eyes on his Savior instead! Thank goodness for blinders! Funny note: this is the very reason if I had the superpower to time travel FORWARD I would never want to do so. LOL I’m fine with traveling back in time, but the future and knowing every detail of what I’d have to go through is too scary a thought for me!
i signed up for a “free” trip to key west for my senior trip out of college. it was for 4 people, and i got three other complete idiots to go along with me. (now i realize this in no way compares to adopting from the congo, but it does prove my naivety.) so we get down there on our own dime and check in to the hotel where we are given a “schedule” — for a time share presentation!! yikes! we went of course, and when they realized we were just out of college, had no job or income, we were excused from all the other presentations, which made us happy and them annoyed. i just roll my eyes at myself. how naive. of COURSE they wanted something out of us!
You go girl!!
Deut 31:8; “the Lord himself goes before me (preparing the way) and will be with me. Do not be afraid”.
How can you beat that?
Just enough light for the step I’m on. Love that God does that, don’t you?
I have come back to your blog post several times today. Read and re-read it. Glanced through the comments.
And decided not to try to get all profound … just say it straight:
Have I ever signed up for something not knowing what I was getting into?
Like marriage?
Or motherhood?
Or family relationships?
Or trying to be a Christ follower?
Um, yes.
How’s it turned out: Nothing like I imagined. Harder than I imagined. Worth it all. Wanted to quit … and I refuse to quit.
And in all cases I’ve thought: I would not have done this if I’d known what it was all about ahead of time.
Sometimes you count the cost … and you still don’t know.
To the world walking by faith my seem like a trite thing. But to me it looks like a beautiful begininng.
Not naïve. Brave. Blessed. Bold-as God Himself is.