Down to the Wire

URGENCY
That is what the phrase "down to the wire" implies.  Our family is living in a constant state of it these last weeks in relationship to our approaching adoption.  Everything ranging from last minute approvals of Visas to travel approvals to hotel bookings to even simple accounting of funds - all of it has generated a sense of urgency.  We have been woefully remiss in the upkeep of this aspect of communicating our journey, relying more frequently on personal communication, occasional social media posts, and text messages with friends.  But in this, a sense of urgency began to build in the necessity to relay information to those who are watching and praying both near and far. 


This journey has had its share of speed bumps.  We could not have imagined at the outset the sheer volume of paperwork and scrutiny that would be required of us.  Above the volume of forms and data, hurtles were thrown into the path.  Health issues not only plagued, but were questioned by foreign offices.  Delays occurred on critical international documents.  We have a small tome of emails requesting submission of forms, resubmission, re-re-submission, and so on.  My bride and I began losing sleep over the stress and concern for deadlines that might not be met.  When things began to look their darkest we had to acknowledge that the whole was completely out of our control and finally release occurred in our minds and hearts.


It was at that point of surrender that breakthrough occurred.  A single critical time sensitive document inviting us to travel to pick up our daughter was issued the very day that China issued a multi-page change to their permissible adoption requirements.  These changes would have made it impossible for our family to be considered for adopting Jayde.  Our deliverance came "down to the wire". 


I can find many examples of God's hand in motion in seemingly "down to the wire" fashion.  Some of them, like above, are within my own life.   Many are in His Word. 


I see a man leading a charge of millions approaching a body of water with murderous armies in pursuit.  It comes down to the wire as Moses taps the end of his rod into the waters and impossibly they begin to split a dry pathway forward. 


I see many thousands encircling a city, for days they have marched and praised their Lord and today, with a shout and the blowing of horns, the legendary fortified walls of Jericho crumble and fall bringing victory down to the wire.

I see two hillsides filled with soldiers and a young man in the valley between following through on a sling tossed stone that stuns a behemoth of a man, knocking him to the ground, clutching victory - down to the wire.


I see a carpenter, cruelly nailed to a pair of wooden beams to endure the most agonizing of executions for base criminals.  Where the heavens paused and darkness reined on the earth, a cry "...it is finished" and eternal victory of life for all time is achieved down to the wire.


And now we are less than two weeks from stepping on foreign soil. Again, urgency is our constant companion.  We have much to do - we haven't even had time to gather our toiletries and travel goods much less finish the few remaining forms that are being requested this side of the Pacific.  We are still in fund raising mode as we wrap an iPad auction this week and continue with our Go-Fund-Me campaign to raise the funds required to pay orphanage fees, consulate offices, doctors.  Our time is tight, our budgets are set, and our prayers are many.  In many ways, my bride and I lean forward with nervous expectation and excitement with just a twinge of fear for the unknown - similar to when we were first married.  I am so thankful to be on this journey with my soul-mate!  I am equally thankful to be on this journey with the One who set our feet upon it!  We will ever be grateful to the one who always delivers, who promises that our very hairs are numbered, who states our every need is known before we ask.  He is faithful, holding us up even down to the wire!