Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The Crown of Life

As I cleared out my phone alerts, before bed, last night, I thanked God for the peace in my heart and clicked on the scripture of the day. James 1:12:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Our case worker had visited earlier in the night, adjusting my expectations of how court would go, today. The white man who couldn't possibly be Sweet Boy's father was a no-show for his DNA test, but another man had surfaced from the past, demanding additional DNA work and possible custody.

I knew that resolution wouldn't come, today, but I was able to sleep without heaviness. I can, honestly, say (probably for the first time in my life), I trust God. Fully. Even if that outcome ends, tragically, for our family, I know God will have purpose. I'm sure I've never reached this state of peace before, but I like it and refuse to let it go.

We sang a song in church, last week, that I haven't heard in years ("If You Say Go"). The chorus has been running on loop for me, this week:
If You say step out on the water
And they say it can't be done
We'll fix our eyes on You and we will come
This morning, I drove the hour to the courthouse in silence. All by myself. Reflecting; thinking; praying. A few minutes outside the city, I whispered, "Lord...I am asking for a miracle, today."

We got our miracle. I wish I could reveal confidences and share every last detail so that you would know what we were up against...but the monster couldn't stand in the presence of our God.

I cried through the entire hearing.

After the judge was done terminating all "known and unknown fathers" for Sweet Boy, he asked to address me. He acknowledged my presence in the courtroom every month over the last year and noted that I was the one doing the "real work". He thanked me for giving Sweet Boy an environment of love and stability, while the legalities were worked out. He hoped that I understood why the process was so lengthy and why "right" is necessary in place of "rushed."

I don't understand why the process was so drawn out nor why every grace was extended to convicted criminals, while my baby battled for his life...every day...desperate for normalcy and permanency. 
That being said, I appreciated the judge's address.

I walked out of the courtroom, thanking God for his goodness, and leaving the burden of injustice at the door. I called Ben and sent my text messages, but the only person I really wanted to talk to was Sweet Boy. I could  hardly wait to tell him.

As soon as everyone was buckled in from school pick-up, I turned around and said, "I had the BEST day and I have SUPER news!"

When I told Sweet Boy that the judge told me, today, that we could adopt him, his smile lit up the backseat and he said, "You mean it? I'm, a real Pinchback, now!?!?"


His excitement was contagious and I cried the rest of the way home.

One victory down; one more to go.

Both belong to the Lord.

43 comments:

  1. My heart is bursting!!! LOVE this! So thankful he can know forever now!

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  2. I found your blog a while back and have been praying for your sweet family. I am crying now as I read and so grateful to the Lord and His goodness. Thankful! Overjoyed for this news for your family. I am in the waiting part of an adoption. It has been a long road, but there is nothing like obedience. I am waiting to be matched with a birthmother. Thanks for you encouraging words as you speak of the steadfastness of the Lord. May it be a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Susie

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  3. Brings tears to my eyes. So happy for Sweet Boy and your whole family. God is indeed blessing your faithfulness.

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  4. congratulations on this good news!

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  5. Praise God! I am so happy that you could finally tell him that great news. Sending up many prayers of praise and thanksgiving tonight! Yeah!!

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  6. Tears my sweet friend. I understand the fight and I'm crying tears of joy for your family.

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  7. Congrats and Well done! Prayers this last part goes smoothly!

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  8. Absolutely incredible...my heart is in awe...

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  9. Best thing I've ever read! I've been following your journey and have been praying for your family. God is good.

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  10. Praise be to God!

    Your news brought tears to my eyes!

    I am so happy for you all and especially for Sweet Boy, whilst you have not been able to share details of what his life had been like in the past, it sounds like his spirit had been completely broken and crushed and through the work of the Lord through your family his spirit is being renewed and restored. What a beautiful miracle!!!

    May the Lord continue to bless you all abundantly

    What an amazing family you have, and from one Mum to another - you inspire me!

    Prayers being said for you - all the way from Sydney Australia

    Em

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  11. Praise God!! Oh my goodness. I'm so excited for sweet boy and all your family. It's so hard to go day in and day out not knowing what is going to happen. I hope this brings your family some much needed rest. Love you all!!

    Rebekah

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  12. I stumbled onto your blog this evening from pintrest and I have been reading the last few posts including the other Rebekah's adoption story posts. I applaud you both. Myself and my husband adopted our first son. Met him in a foster home at 4 months old ( fell madly in love with him.) By 8.5 months he was living with us, we became foster parents for him and after 2.5 (what seemed to be very long years) we were given word he was going to be ours for ever!! All the court dates and visitations and social workers and fighting .. All over! Now our own sweet boy is 4 and we struggle with how much openess we are going to allow.. For safely reasons and sadly on my part.. For selfish reasons. I'm not sure how I will handle him calling his birth mom - "mom" ( it feels different now that I am his mom and not just his foster mom )
    I may be rambling here, just wanted to say your posts have touched me and you are doing an amazing job. :)

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  13. So, so, so very happy to read this.

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  14. So happy for your family!

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  15. Sheesh I can't imagine how you possibly could have gotten through it all not crying!

    I can't even get through your blog post without starting to cry again every time I think I've stopped...then I get to your next words! LOL

    LOVE this - "After the judge was done terminating all "known and unknown fathers" for Sweet Boy..." Known and unknown...no one else able to come forward!

    And while frustrating as Sweet Boy has suffered the most (NOT trying to diminish the heartache/frustration/time/etc. you guys have put in also!) in this I'm glad the judge acknowledged your presence and what you've done. I know that's not at all why you did it in the slightest - but I'm glad he saw that!

    But these words...the very best!!!

    "When I told Sweet Boy that the judge told me, today, that we could adopt him, his smile lit up the backseat and he said, "You mean it? I'm, a real Pinchback, now!?!?""

    Eep! Love that he knew what that all means for him! Yay!

    Continued prayers but rejoicing in the huge step this court day was!!!

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  16. I'm crying. BEST, BEST, BEST news. Please give Sweet Boy a huge hug from a stranger that lives in Australia!

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  17. I have been following your story, thinking of you often, and praying for your family ever since, well, since you got Ty. I have goosebumps and tears this morning reading about the sweet justice for Sweet Boy we've all been praying for. Congrats on your miracle! I can't wait until the post saying he's officially and legally yours forever! :)
    Love,
    A Stranger in WI

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  18. This the most wonderful news!!! Reading your post this morning and learning that Sweet Boy will finally be a 'real' Pinchback is the best way to start out my day! Praise God!!

    Kathy Lang

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  19. I have goosebumps. I started reading and my heart dropped thinking maybe the possible father that came out of the woodwork would change things. But when I kept reading, oh my goodness.

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  20. HALLELUJAH!!! Oh praise the Lord, from whom all blessings flow! Such great news! Rejoicing and crying for Sweet Boy and all of you!

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  21. BEST NEWS!!!! LOVE this update. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Praise God indeed. Thank you Jesus.

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  22. God is so good!!! I am so happy for your family!!

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  23. I'm crying, too. His ways are always best.

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  24. I've read your blog for a few years now and this made me cry tears of joy for your family. So happy for all of you.

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  25. Praise God! Thank you Jesus for grace and mercy!

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  26. Glory be to God! I'm crying tears of joy for your family!!!

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  27. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

    So completely over-joyed for your family, but ecstatic and crying tears of joy for your sweet boy! Praise Him

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  28. Such wonderful news...happy for you

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  29. God is good! Thank you god! Awesome news!!! Breaks my heart..."When I told Sweet Boy that the judge told me, today, that we could adopt him, his smile lit up the backseat and he said, "You mean it? I'm, a real Pinchback, now!?!?"

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  30. Bawling!!!

    I've been checking every day for news. So glad I thought to check again tonight! Praise Jesus. Continually praying that the next steps play out peacefully, with a peace that surpasses all understanding.

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  31. Bless you all as you continue on you're journey! So happy for all of you, so great to see sweet boy is in his forever family. Melts my heart. I admire your faith and strength.

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  32. Dawn told me that this was on here. I prayed for you at our women's prayer group. This is the best news that I have heard in a long time. Tell that special boy that I love him. Praise God!

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  33. Congratulations! I'm so glad you all got this miracle!

    I'm curious how things are progressing for Little Miss's legal status? Is she clear for adoption too?

    Wishing you all the very best!

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  34. Dear Rebekah,
    I have been following your blog for several months and am very grateful to you for sharing your journey. You have been a source of strength and of inspiration to me. When I saw the title of this post I held my breath and scanned through quickly hoping to see what I hoped come true. I have hoped and hoped that Sweet boy would become a "real Pinchback", as he said. I am SO happy and thankful for you and for him that you will be together. i will continue to think of you all

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  35. Amen amen amen! I have been checking and checking and yippee! Woohoo

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  36. That is AWESOME! Praise the Lord!!!
    --- notofourhands.blogspot.com

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  37. Praise Him!!! so so very happy for sweet boy and your family! God will show His glory and will not waste the pain you all have endured!

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  38. Yes! Yes Jesus, Yes! Praising Him through tears this morning!

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  39. I have been stalking your blog waiting for updates and praying for this outcome for you and your family. Tears streaming down my face in complete joy. AMAZING, have a BLESSED THANKGIVING - there is so much to be thankful for!!!

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  40. This brought me to tears...streaming down my face. I've been so nervous to check back to see the outcome of sweet boy's fate. I'm SO incredibly happy for your family and for this little boy who desperately needed your forever home!!! Congratulations!!!!

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  41. Thank you for sharing that verse! It was exactly what I needed! So happy for your sweet little boy:)

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