Trust Without Borders

  The first time I ever heard Hillsong's "Oceans" was two nights before we met Michael and he moved into our home. We made a last minute trip to Atlanta to go to a Hillsong concert, talk with them about attending their college in Australia, and to see some family. The college sounded amazing, but we just didn't feel like the Lord would be leading us to Australia, especially since he had made it clear we were to foster.

  After the college preview, we waited in the car until closer to time for the concert to start. During this time, I was able to speak with M's foster mom at the time. He sounded like he was the perfect fit for our family. We learned all about him. Like how he wasn't big into sports, which we were kind of excited about since we aren't dying to sit in cold weather for baseball. We learned he loved to draw, he loved Spider-Man, what the past few years of his life looked like and how he desperately wanted a forever family.

The first picture we seen of Michael.

  At this time, we had only agreed to take him for temporary foster care. We didn't think we would adopt as soon as we started foster care. Flash forward and in less than a 6 months he was adopted. He had a forever family.
  
  That's what singing the song "Oceans" does, only when you mean it with your whole heart. Like most Christian songs, when sung live at a concert, "Oceans" was played for many minutes. From beginning to end. At least six or seven times I heard this song repeated. By the end of it, Kyle and I knew every word. Nothing is more beautiful than hearing thousands of people singing praises to His name. Along with everyone else, we sang every word. But at one point, I went from singing this song to praying the lyrics.

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wonder, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior."

  Those lyrics flowed from my lips and I meant every word. I stopped and asked the Lord to give me this life. A life that would take me past my borders, to take me places that would only strengthen my faith, and take me into His presence. I wanted something big to happen in our life that would make me fully trust the Lord and that would give Him glory.

  That night after the concert, in our hotel room, Kyle and I both agreed in this prayer. We both talked about those lyrics and how we truly wanted that. We wanted something radical.

Never did I think the answer to that prayer would show up in the shape of a seven year old boy.

  Not only did we pray for our life, we prayed for Michael. He never left our minds from the moment we learned he would be coming to our home. We prayed that God would give him a forever family. It's mind blowing to think how God intertwined those prayers. Our trust without borders lead us to be Michael's forever family. Isn't it wonderful, how God works?

  I invite you to pray for a trust without borders, but if you do, be ready. A "trust without borders" could lead you to a place outside of your comfort zone. It could lead you to adopting a 7 year old, fostering 6 kids at one time, or on a mission trip to South Africa. It could lead you to sell all of your things. It could lead you to move across state lines.

 It could lead you to many things, but one thing it will do, is lead you into something bigger than yourself. It will make you fall more in love with Christ and trust Him deeper than you could imagine.

Kyle and I at the Hillsong Concert in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The first picture of all three of us. The day after he moved in. Love at first sight.