Do not be anxious

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

We received this in a Thanksgiving greetings email. And how true it is, it makes you stop and think for a minute. Continuing on:

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Basically, it says don't worry, but have faith. Ask for what you need, and give thanks for what you have been given. By doing this, your heart and mind will experience peace.

In other words "don't worry, be happy". By giving thanks, and doing so, you will achieve peace as you wait for important changes in your life.

It's hard to remember to do this sometimes. But it is important to step back and think about it sometimes. Anxiousness won't get us anywhere, we're still going to have to wait as long as we have to wait. But by praying and relaxing, staying at peace we'll have a better time waiting.

Pray, hope and don't worry

Pray, hope and don't worry. Anxiety doesn't help at all. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer.--- Saint Padre Pio

So important, for many different circumstances. We can apply this to a waiting family as well. Sometimes we get so anxious, wondering when it's going to happen. Then we stress about it, worry about it. And then feel bad because nothing has happened yet.

The best thing to do is to relax, though it's not always easy to do. Pray about it, and hope that something is going to happen soon. But don't stress or worry. Eventually something is going to happen, and our family will grow.

But for now, it's time to relax, enjoy. Relish the quiet time spent together. Sleep in. Work on scrapbooks and read books and magazines. Clean and organize the house. And take time to hope and pray a little bit each day. Eventually, when the timing is right, our prayers will be answered.

Though this is much easier said than done. Some days are better than others. Sometimes tears flow due to stress, worry, wondering. Knots in the stomach, feeling phyiscally ill. It feels like things are not happening as they should, why haven't they happened yet? Why is it taking so long, why isn't anyone looking at us? All those questions and anxieties...

In the end, it's hard to give up the control. We can't determine when a birthparent will look at us. Will deem us fit to parent a child or two. It's hard knowing that building your family is beyond your control. All you can do is hope and pray that the right birthparent will see our profile, or learn of us, and decide we are what they are looking for.

The best we can do is to relax, realize it is out of our control. And know that someday our hopes and prayers will be answered.