Adoption

September 20, 2023 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

How Prayer Changes the Future for Adoption

I’d like to think I’m an expert pray-er. I can clearly see how my prayers changed things. For example, I’ve had seven kids—not birthed from me—running around my house who are examples of that. Yet, the way that my prayers changed the future is different than you think.

God is not a genie in a bottle.

My prayers weren’t effective because I figured out the right words to make God do what I wanted to do. I used to think that. As a young Christian, I’d try all sorts of things:

praying in the morning
praying at night
praying on my knees
praying out loud
journaling my prayers

I wouldn’t admit it out loud, but I believed deep down if I said the right things, at the right time, in the right way, that God could be swayed.

What I’ve since discovered is God has good plans for my life. He has hopes for me and a future.

The number-one thing that changes when I pray . . . is me.

Prayer opens up the connection between me and God. Prayer softens my heart to His will.

My prayers change the future because as I connect with Him, I’m willing to submit my will to His. As I submit and walk in His ways . . . my future is different than the path I would have taken myself on in my own according. And the future is changed.

Prayer changes the future because:

I connect with God.
I submit my will to His.
I walk in His ways—not the ones I try to figure out.

I have dozens of examples of this, but I’ll quickly share one: adoption. Around 2000, I started praying for God to give me His heart. Soon I became interested in adopting. God tells us so many times to care for the widows and orphans.

My husband wasn’t on board, so I continued to pray (not nag). In 2007, John brought up the idea to me (yes!), and we filled out paperwork to adopt from China.

By the time we submitted our paperwork in 2008, the adoption Chinese program changed drastically, and the opportunity to adopt a healthy baby girl was no longer an option. By 2009, when I discovered I’d not have a Chinese baby anytime soon (or ever), I was crushed. I cried (I’ll admit it), but I also prayed for God’s will.

“Lord, give us the child YOU desire. I know you placed adoption on my heart for a reason.”

I’m telling the complete truth when I say that the very day I relinquished my will, I received a phone call about a birth mom looking for a home for her baby. March 2010, Alyssa joined our family—a nine-pound bundle of joy.

Even after bringing Alyssa home, I continued to pray for God’s will. (Lord, are there more children that you have for us?)

In 2012 Bella and Casey joined our home from the foster care system. Later on, God placed Lauren, Jordan, Maria, and Florentina into our lives. I love my children! I couldn’t imagine life without them. More than that, I know God placed adoption on my heart for a reason; it just didn’t look the way I thought.

Prayer changed the future because:

I connected with God, and I discovered His heart.
I submitted my will to His, and I relinquished myself to His path.
I walked in His ways, . . . and He led me where I never expected.

Today, consider changing your future forever.

God has good plans for your life. He knows you’ll only be willing to step out into the future when your heart is changed through prayer.

How Prayer Changes the Future for Adoption

As you submit yourself to His heart and His will, expect to walk down paths different than you ever expected. You’ll learn how prayer changes the future for adoption. Also, expect to have a partner in the journey. God—yes, the God of the universe!—will be stepping out in front of you along the way and leading you in His plans.

As we continued to pray God continued to lead. Today, we have ten beautiful children. We are so blessed. And it all began when we let God changed our future through prayer.

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September 12, 2023 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Homeschool Curriculum Unboxing: Sonlight

One of my favorite times of the year is when my new homeschool curriculum arrives. For the last couple of years, I’ve used Sonlight to homeschool all my children together. It works great!! I’m doing the same thing this year, too.

My children are Level D (ages 8-11) and Level 100 (ages 12-16) in the Sonlight homeschool curriculum. But I love to combine levels to teach all my kids together!

Homeschool Scheduling Hope

In order to make the most of our homeschool day, I literally put the two levels together and do the Read Alouds to both groups. Last time it took me 1 ½ years to go through the doubled-up curriculum this way, but none of us minded. The younger kids enjoyed the older kids’ books and the older kids loved the young kids’ books. This really helps the kids bond. From ages 7-15 we all enjoy the stories together. I can’t tell you the number of times all the kids were either laughing or crying at the same time. It’s fun to hear them talking about the stories months later.

I usually spend 2 – 2 ½ hours each day reading aloud to all my kids together. While I’m reading they’re usually coloring, playing with Legos, doing puzzles or crafts. I pause every few pages and ask questions to make sure people are paying attention. Sometimes the older girls take turns reading too.

Then, after the read-aloud time, everyone breaks up to do their individual work. This takes anywhere from 1-4 more hours, depending on the age of the child, how much work and independent reading there is, and how motivated they are.

Teacher’s Guide

What makes Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum easy is that the Teacher’s Guide has everything listed out—what needs to be done each day. There are also handouts and worksheets to go with the books. Since everything is figured out for me, there is little prep.

I’ll admit that we don’t cover every single thing in the teacher’s guide. Sometimes I’ll choose not to do all the extra activities, and we just read the books. That’s okay. My kids are learning a ton and excelling!

Watch the video unboxing here:

Hope and Refreshment for Homeschooling Parents

Need more ideas and advice on homeschooling? Pick up a copy of Homeschool Basics. Receive tried-and-true homeschool advice from veteran homeschooling moms Tricia Goyer and Kristi Clover. We dish out practical help on getting started and staying the course. Homeschool Basics will remind you that the best homeschooling starts with the heart. Packed with ideas to help you push aside your fears and raise kids who will grow to be life-long learners.

Kristi and I believe that homeschooling can transform your life, your home, and your family. Mostly, we believe homeschooling can truly prepare your children for the life God’s called them to live.

Don’t let doubts hold you back any longer.

Get Homeschool Basics on Amazon Now!

Have you checked out my homeschool success course yet?

Let me share all the practical tips and tricks I’ve learned to:

—Homeschool multiple levels in four hours a day.

—Understand the basics of homeschool laws and what your kids need to graduate and go to college.

—Discover your gifts as a homeschool teacher.

—Finding extra help for special needs kids.

…and so much more!

Here is my welcome module to give you a glimpse of this course!

June 14, 2023 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Live Your Life’s Dream… Inspired by God

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

As a speaker, one of my favorite things to do is encourage the audience to “dream big.” Too many times we put God in a box.

We’re afraid to step out of our comfort zones. We forget that God created the universe and can surely He can help us with our small dreams. There are many dreams God has helped me fulfill: starting a crisis pregnancy center, leading a mission team to Europe, and writing books for a living, to name a few.

Since I’ve seen dreams come true in my own life, I like to encourage others to dream big. Yet, lately I’ve been adding a P.S. to my message. Why? Because in my good intentions, I may have led people to become discouraged instead.

One of the problems with the message “dream big” is that we let our human minds measure what “big” is. We think it has to be fame or success or a huge blog. We think it has to involve starting a ministry or sharing Christ in an atheistic country.

This doesn’t always have to be the case. What is “big” to God? The “big” thing to God is obeying what He asks you to do. You could become famous, make it big, and become well-known—and it would amount to nothing. Or you can ask God what big is to Him – you might just be surprised.

Many years ago, my husband and I felt God telling us to walk away from some of our ministry opportunities in order to adopt several children from the foster care system. I will not become famous leading family Bible studies, watching my kids play soccer, or carting kids to homeschool co-ops. But after seven adoptions, I realize that to God, these are big things.

What dream is big to God in your life?

It’s a question you need to ask. It’s wonderful to dream big… just as long as you are sure you know that the direction of your dream was inspired by your loving heavenly Father.

Faith step: Take a minute and think about the dreams God has been speaking to your heart. Write them down, even though they may not seem big to the world’s eyes. Now, what is one step you can take toward them? Write that down too.

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December 2, 2021 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

7 Truths about Walking Out God’s Word

These 7 Truths about Walking Out God’s Word can help you find peace as you pursue God’s purpose in your life. I’ve learned that when I follow His ways I can rest knowing He holds my life in His hands. He is faithful, friend. He will give you the life you desire if you trust Him with the details. Let’s look at how we can do that.

7 Truths about Walking Out God’s Word

What God has accomplished through me always amazes people, as an author of 70 books, conference speaker, and mom of ten kids, they want to know how I do it all. Truthfully, I don’t do it all. There is a lot I say no to. But I’ve ended up where I am due to one determination. I’ve just committed to reading God’s Word and walking it out. When I take these steps to walk out God’s Word, He provides me with all I need to fulfill His call.

Twenty-eight years ago, I was a 17-year-old teen mom who committed her life to Jesus and dared to believe God could make something out of her life. Seeing the destructive path I was on, I dared to read God’s Word and do what it says. I talk about my journey in my newly released book Walk It Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step At A Time, and here are a few things I’ve learned in the process:

1. God’s mandates are given for a reason.

Whether you realize it or not, God intended for us to do what the Bible says: take the gospel into all the world, care for the vulnerable, help the needy, tend to our most important relationships. These are guideposts that point us down the path of true living and eternal life.

For many years I assumed God’s will for my life was all about me. But as I actually did what the Bible said, I discovered there was a large world out there who needed Jesus, and God had a part for me to play. Yes, I found true living and eternal life for myself, but as I follow God’s mandates I was able to share God’s Good News with others who found true living and eternal life, too.

As we choose to walk out God’s desires for this world, we model for our children a better way to live. When we prayed and ask God what matters to Him, He will open our eyes to those around us who needed help and hope. And as we extend love to others, God’s love flows through us. When we allow Scripture’s mandates to direct our lives, we’ll discover a God-designed mission that will excite and delight us. Isn’t this the type of life we want to model for our kids?

As a young mom, I was asked to help start a crisis pregnancy center. I didn’t think I had time, but God reminded me of those who reached out to me when I was a teen mom, giving me hope. I started a weekly support group in 2000, and I’m still leading one today. My heart is full and I find great joy telling young women that they matter to God and that their children matter. Watching my passionate service, each of my adult children have discovered their own passions in varied and unique ministries. They reach out to others as they were shown.

3. Walking out God’s Word takes action.

It’s important to know God’s Word, but the time comes when God’s Spirit whispers, “Are you done learning about Me, and are you ready to connect with Me?” After we fill our minds with head knowledge, God wants us to place our feet on the ground and act. He wanted me to have a living faith that was undeniable to me and to all those He brought into my life. But the walking part is important. As James 1:22 says, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves,” (NLT).

4. To walk out what God’s Word we need to depend on Him.

“I used to ask God to help me,” said Hudson Taylor, humble missionary and founder of the China Inland Mission. “Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking Him to do His work through me.”

These words resonate with me because God took me on the same journey from independence to dependence. I’ve never needed God so greatly as I do when I walk out His mandates. When I’ve cried to Him in desperation; I’ve turned to Him in prayer more than ever. And that’s exactly where He wants me—wants each of us—to be.

We want to walk out God’s directive to share with those in need, but we often don’t know what that looks like. Seeing all the needs can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to ask, “God what is the one thing You need me to do today?” Then, do that, knowing God will tell the next step as needed.

6. Our calling is to become more like Jesus.

What is God calling us to do? How is He asking us to help and love the poor or to care for lost sinners? We can see how God wants us to act by seeing how Jesus loved and cared for people. Our calling isn’t to a specific job or ministry. Our calling is to walk as Jesus did.

7. Know your steps of faith define your future.

Dare I say it? Sometimes we step out of God’s will for us today because we’re trying to figure out what He has planned for us tomorrow—for our future. But when we walk out God’s directives and take steps of self-sacrifice, love, service, and compassion, we will discover God’s purpose for our future, and our family’s future, because our faithful steps will lead us to it.

“Who we choose to become and how we choose to live every day creates a trajectory for everything else,” said author Jerry Sittser. “Perhaps that is why the Bible says so little about God’s will for tomorrow and so much about what we should do to fulfill his will today.”

For years I tried to figure out God’s will for my life, but as I followed God’s Word—one step after another—I found myself in the center of God’s will. All I’ve accomplished has resulted from faithful steps of doing what the Bible says. Of course, the greatest success isn’t what I’ve done, but who’ve I’ve become on this journey with God. And who my children have become as they’ve followed me.

This post originally appeared here: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/7-truths-about-walking-out-god-s-word.html

July 22, 2020 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Walk it Out #118: Love without Borders with Angela Braniff

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Love without Borders with Angela Braniff

I’m so excited to share my interview with Angela Braniff, author of the new book Love without Borders.

There are those people who know from an early age that they will grow up and adopt children. As wonderful as that is, adoption wasn’t on my radar until I was a mom of three school-aged kids, and I heard about so many orphans in need of homes. It was then that I thought, “Maybe we can open our home to one more.” For the Goyers, that “one more” became seven more. We have an extra full house, and I can’t imagine life any different. Even though they came to me in different ways—at different ages—these are my kids. I know God put them in our lives for a purpose—their purpose and mine.

On today’s broadcast, we’re talking a lot about adoption. My guest has adopted six children. Two were international adoptions, two were from the states, and two were embryo adoptions. It just goes to show that God creates families in MANY ways! I know you’re going to love hearing Angela’s story.

Who is Angela Braniff?

Angela Braniff is the founder of the popular YouTube channel, This Gathered Nest. She is an adoption advocate, home school mom, content creator, podcast host, and adventure seeker. Angela is married to her high-school sweetheart and together they have a full house: Kennedy (12) – their biological daughter, Shelby (10) – their 2nd biological daughter, Rosie (7) – adopted from China, Noah (7) – adopted from Congo, Jonah (5) – adopted domestically, and finally, Ivy + Amelia (18-month old twins) – adopted as embryos—Angela gave birth to them! Adding to their family of seven kids, after the book was finished, Angela and CR welcomed their eighth child, Benjamin, through adoption. Angela lives in North Carolina and has been featured in People, Today, UPTV, BuzzFeed, etc.

You can order Love without Borders HERE.

About the Book:

From the founder of This Gathered Nest YouTube channel, an uplifting story of Angela Braniff’s unusual path to becoming the mother to seven children through various methods of adoption and biological approaches, encouraging women and mothers to embrace the unique purpose that God has put in their lives.

Angela’s love for life and her family radiates through everything she does. The Braniff household includes their two biological daughters, Kennedy, 12, and Shelby 10; Rosie, 7, who was adopted from China with Down syndrome; Noah, 7, adopted from Congo; Jonah 5, adopted domestically; and finally, Ivy and Amelia, their one-year-old twins who were adopted as embryos, and implanted in Angela, who gave birth to them. In fact, after the book was finished, they joyfully welcomed a new baby into their home, Benjamin, through adoption, making them now a family of ten!

Love Without Borders shares Angela’s relatable, humorous, and honest view of motherhood. Angela chronicles her journey to discover God’s purpose for her life. For years she walked the safe, expected path, until one day she could feel God calling her to boldly step out and follow him into new places, which led her to raise a large, non-traditional family that looked different than she ever imagined.

It was a winding path to motherhood, complete with heartbreak from failed adoptions, challenging pregnancies, and secondary infertility, but through it all Angela found the unique adventure God had for her. She has shared her family’s stories on her popular YouTube channel, This Gathered Nest, and now invites us in to go deeper and listen to where God might be calling us to go and who we’ve been tasked with loving, no matter how unusual (or just plain crazy) it may sound! The beauty of God’s plan is he uses imperfect people to bring about perfectly beautiful stories.

Walk It Out Scripture

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27

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Hard Places in Adoption and How Prayer Changes Things

Are you facing the Hard Places in Adoption and wondering How Prayer Changes Things? I hope my words might offer you a lifeline when you’re drifting into doubt.

Hard Places in Adoption and How Prayer Changes Things

No one would argue the fact that in our marriage John is more realistic, and I’m more idealistic. This is true when it comes to time and money—I always believe both will stretch more than they do. This has also been true of adoption, especially when it comes to adopting teens. I always believed deep down that as hard as things were everything would work out in the end.

From the beginning of our adoption journey, John reminded me it wouldn’t be easy. After all, our kids had childhoods marked with trauma before they entered our home. I’d nod as he reminded me of those things, but deep down I believed the right therapy, the right environment, and all the right love would bring miraculous transformations. And all these have in a way, but the fact is no matter how many right things I do it doesn’t erase what my kids have been through.

More than that, my right actions as a mom do not equal my children making good choices as they near or enter adulthood—that’s never guaranteed for any parent.

“Even if they turn eighteen and walk away from us, they’ll always know our love and hopefully God’s love,” John would tell me. I’d smile and agree, but still, I had unrealistic expectations. I couldn’t imagine after all I was pouring into these kids that they’d choose anything other than to stick around and accept the love and help we offered as parents.

There were three things I hadn’t taken into account though, things that I can’t control.

1. Healing from past trauma takes longer than anticipated.

I believe now that the only place my children will be fully healed is in heaven. The pain they faced on so many levels has changed how they developed mentally, emotionally, and even physically. It was foolish of me to think that the four years in our home could undo the twelve, thirteen or fourteen years of battering done to their minds, hearts, souls, and bodies.

2. Sometimes actions or reactions aren’t something kids from hard places can control.

Kids from hard places have learned to fight, freeze or flee as a way to protect themselves, and they may continue to do so in any situation they perceive as unsafe. Triggers don’t make sense to observers, but they set off very real emotions—emotions that are hard for anyone to control, especially young adults.

3. Every young adult makes mistakes—adopted or not.

I made stupid and destructive decisions when I was a teen and young adult, and I didn’t face even of the fraction of the hurtful experiences that my kids faced. No matter how well we parent, kids—all kids—must make their own choices. And very often they make poor ones.

I’ve been thinking about all these things because I do have teens and young adults making choices I don’t agree with. I ache because no matter how much I want to fix things…

Read the rest of Hard Places in Adoption and How Prayer Changes Things here:

https://www.thebettermom.com/blog/2020/3/4/hard-places-in-adoption-and-how-prayer-changes-things

Hard Places in Adoption and How Prayer Changes Things

The more I’m willing to open my heart and life to my children, the more willing they are to open theirs to me. And that is what all this healing is about. It’s opening up our hearts to our kids with a “me first” attitude and dealing with our kids’ anger by dealing with ours. It’s understanding that just as God has transformed us, He will do the same with our kids. And it’s realizing that dealing with the hard stuff of anger leads us to all the good places God’s wanted us to go to all along. It’s a journey of healing and of hope. It’s a hard journey but one I’m thankful I embarked on.

(Excerpt from Calming Angry Kids by Tricia Goyer)

Calming Angry Kids

If you have a child who struggles with anger, or if you know a family that does, be sure to order Calming Angry Kids today. Each of us needs to wake up with hope and lay down in peace—you do, your kids do. Each of us needs to discover that with the right tools, overcoming anger is possible.

There is help. There is hope. And there can be calm.

“I felt as though Tricia was sitting next to me sharing her personal stories and giving me help, guidance, and encouragement for my own parenting journey. If you have a child who struggles with anger, sit with Tricia and let her encourage you as well.”

Jamie Ivey
Bestselling author of If You Only Knew, host of the podcast The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

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May 7, 2020 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

One Man’s Story of Hope Shares The Gospel

One Man’s Story of Hope

It’s taken me a while to process some hard news that I received recently. I received a text message that read, “Dad left us in favor of heaven.” Thomas Graumann is now in the arms of Jesus. I’m crying, knowing what a joy that is for him!

As you know, I wrote Tom’s story in Twice-Rescued Child.

One Man’s Story of Hope

Aged eight, Thomas Graumann excitedly boarded a train in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to embark on what he believed was a three-month holiday. “Go to Britain, learn English, and when the Germans leave, you can come home again,’ his mother assured him. Thomas carried two suitcases and a bag of food. At the time he knew his country had been taken over by the Germans and now was under Nazi control. That was the last he would see of his mother and most of his Jewish family, who died in concentration camps.

This was Thomas’ first rescue, aboard what became known as the Kindertransport.

His second came a year later when an evangelist from the Scottish village he was taken to for safety shared the good news of Jesus Christ with him. Saying a prayer on bent knee, Thomas’ soul was rescued, and he soon dedicated himself to missionary service, which he fulfilled as an adult in the Philippines, eventually moving to the U.S.

I am so HONORED to have known Tom and to have written his story. I first heard his story in 2008, and it didn’t leave me. I had it on my to-do list for YEARS, “Reach out to Thomas Graumann.” He was a Jewish child who was rescued from death’s grasp, and he lived his life sharing true HOPE.

Tom as a baby with his father. All his family died in concentration camps.

Answered Prayers

A couple of years ago, I was praying, and I felt God say, “Contact Thomas Graumann NOW.” I reached out to the Czech pastor’s wife, who first told me his story, and I got Tom’s phone number again and called him out of the blue.

“Tom, I’d love to write your story.”

“Yes, good. I’ve been praying about that.” He wasn’t surprised at all! I smile just thinking about that. Tom had worked for years writing down all the information about his life, at the urging of his son Paul. My job was to bring it to life on the page.

Tom, my friend Robin Gunn, and me July 2019

God Makes A Way

I set up a weekly phone date with Tom, who lived in Colorado. I’d call him every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. I’d go over different parts of his story, and he’d fill in more details for me. His memory was so sharp! He could remember dates and names throughout the nearly nine decades of his life.

I talked to my agent Janet Grant and told her, “We need to find a publisher for this book.” She found one in the UK. They wanted to release it Summer of 2020. I asked if they could release it sooner. I promised to finish it fast. I did, and they released it in the UK October 2019 and the United States in January 2020. Isn’t God good?!

One Man’s Story of Hope Shares The Gospel

Tears fill my eyes, knowing this: Tom held his story, his book, in his hands. He knew that his story would go on and that many others around the world would hear about the gospel. It’s already being translated into more languages. Tom is still a missionary even now!

I am so thankful I listened to that stirring that said, “Contact Tom Graumann NOW.” My life is richer for it.

Purchase Tom’s Story

One Man’s Story of Hope

God, indeed, had wonderful plans for this rescued child! You can watch my interviews with Tom here:

Part 1 – One Jewish family

Part 2 – Kindertransport

Part 3 – Learning of concentration camps

Part 4 – Returning to the Czech Republic

Part 5 – Meeting the Man Who Saved Him

Bonus with Robin Gunn, who smuggled Czech Bibles for Brother Andrew

In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Victory in Europe and the end of World War II, my Liberators series novels are all on sale now!

Learn more about the true tales of the Greatest Generation and what they faced during WWII in Europe against Nazi Germany. These amazing men and women gave so much and faced enormous personal sacrifice to stop the horror of Hitler.

It’s been such an honor for me to get to know so many of them and to hear their stories. Now you can read the stories inspired by the real-life events from their time in WWII.

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What Does God Ask of Us?

So many times we want God to reveal Himself to us. We question if He is real. And if we do believe in Him, we expect Him to really put Himself on display in big ways.

What I’ve discovered the 27 years since I’ve become a Christian is that I’ve learned more about God by focusing on the priorities—the main things He asks us to do—in the Bible than any other way.

It seems the Bible is made up of a lot of rules, but actually, when we focus on the few most important things, the rest are taken care of.

When we do what God has already asked us to do, He will reveal so much more about Himself and His ways. I learn about Him by turning to Him, depending on Him, thanking Him, and loving others.

What does He reveal? His loving heart. His willingness to provide for us. And His concern for people in this world. As I follow Him in these ways I am changed and the world is impacted for God.

What Does God Ask of Us?

1. Believe in Jesus.

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household,” Acts 16:31.

Understand because of your sin you deserve to be separated from God for eternity, but through the sacrifice of Jesus you can be saved from punishment and can spend eternity with Him. All you need to pray is, “Jesus, I believe in you. Please take my sin and give me eternity with you instead.” It’s that easy.

2. Put living for Jesus first in your life.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” Matthew 6:33.

This means daily seeking Jesus, reading the Bible, loving others as Jesus did, and trusting He will care for your needs.

3. Read the Bible.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

When we read the Bible, we learn more about God and His ways. We learn how to live life more effectively. When you sit down to read the Bible pray, “Lord, help me to understand.” Also, ask someone who has been reading the Bible for a while to help you to understand better.

4. Become involved in a local Bible-believing church and seek friendships with Christ-followers.

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near,” Hebrews 10:25.

We are not meant to follow Jesus alone, but we gain help and encouragement from other believers. When you join with other Christ-followers regularly, they will be there to help and support you, and you can do the same for them.

5. Forgive others.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven,” Luke 6:37.

People will hurt us … a lot. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting. It means turning it over to God and allowing Him to handle the situation. God doesn’t take sin lightly, trust that.

6. Live your life with thankfulness, not complaining.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation,” Philippians 2:14.

When we spend our day thanking God for all we have, instead of complaining about what we don’t have, everything changes, starting with our attitude and our view on life. We will notice the difference in our attitude during the day and others will, too.

7. Pray all the time.

“Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Pray without ceasing just means when you’re thinking about something over and over, it’s a good sign that it’s something you can pray about. Ask God to help the situation and give you wisdom on how to handle it.

8. Love others.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails,” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

When we love others as God asks us to they benefit and we do too.

9. Care for the widows and orphans.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world,” James 1:27.

A symbol of being a Christian is not doing all you can to take care of yourself, but doing all you can to take care of others.

These things don’t sound easy, do they? The truth is that everything God asks us to do is impossible unless we turn to Him and ask Him for help and strength. If you want to obey God in these ways, ask Him to help you. We cannot live as a Christ-follower in our own strength.

The first step is to pray this prayer:

Jesus, I want to follow you in these ways. Please help me, and please bring people in my life to show me Your ways.

Now, I want to pray for you:

Dear Jesus, you see my friend and you see his/her desire to live as you ask. Please help him/her today to draw closer to you and desire to do these things. And as he/she does I pray you will reveal yourself in amazing ways. Amen.

I can’t wait to hear how God is going to reveal Himself to you! Please let me know.

Download the printable here!

P.S. Want to hear more about what happened in my life when I chose to do what God asked me to? My book Walk It Out is only .99 on Kindle right now!

You can purchase a copy HERE.

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October 2, 2019 by Pamela Black Leave a Comment

How To Wait Patiently

Today I want to talk about waiting. We don’t like to wait, but the Lord often puts us in places of waiting on him. Let’s learn how to wait patiently.

How To Wait Patiently

Are you currently waiting on the Lord? Maybe you’re waiting for a job, a spouse or a wayward child to return home. Maybe you’re waiting for wisdom for the next steps or how to handle a hard situation. Waiting is hard because there is so little we have to wait on these days. We can microwave a meal in three minutes. We can journey across the globe in one day. If we want an answer to any question, Google has it in three seconds. Not to mention, we can send a text in one second without waiting for the mail to arrive.

In our fast-paced, instant-access society, when we suddenly don’t have what we want most, and we have to wait, we feel helpless, weak and powerless because we don’t know how to wait patiently.

Sometimes we even question God like David did in Psalm 13:1, “How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”

We wonder if God hears. We question if God cares. That’s called doubt.

Have you ever doubted God? I have. Years ago I felt God’s call to adoption. I waited and prayed for seven years (without nagging!) for God to put the same call on John’s heart too. Then I waited for two years as we did paperwork. And I waited another year after the paperwork was finished for a child. But the call never came. Instead, I was confronted with doors closing on the international path we’d chosen.

After ten years of waiting my heart was broken. Why God? Why?

In my brokenness, I turned to God. Even in tears, I told Him that I trusted Him. Verses like these resonate in my heart:

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

And in my waiting and seeking, I realized I wasn’t alone.

The Bible is filled with those who wait.

One of my favorite waiting stories is about a man who waited his whole life for a glimpse of the promised Messiah.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Luke 2:25-26

As he took the child, Jesus, in his arms Simeon proclaimed it was worth the wait.

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Luke 2:29-32

In Simeon’s waiting, He saw the Lord. And in our waiting, we also discover Him too. Every minute that Simeon waited made the joy of receiving even more precious.

Why does God ask us to wait? Waiting prepares your heart. Even when your mind feels ready for a task, your heart might not be there yet. Waiting allows God time to fill the gap between your head and your heart.

What to do while you wait:

1. Be thankful for who God is and what He’s done.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love (Psalm 103:8). Thank Him, knowing the waiting comes from His compassion, grace and love. Treasure Him for all He is. Know that if you never receive what you’re waiting for God is enough.

2. Walk in obedience in what God has already called you to.

Living a righteous life happens one day at a time. Instead of trying to hurry God up, walk faithfully where He has you now.

3. Be honest in your struggle.

As I waited for adoption doors to open I shared my struggle. I asked friends to pray for my family. I shared how I didn’t understand why we were having to wait for doors to open to adopt a child when it’s clearly God’s mandate in Scripture. The amazing thing is that a praying friend was the connection with our daughter’s birth mom. In my willingness to share my struggle (not with complaining but with humility) God opened the doors.

4. Seek God for strength.

Waiting is never easy, but when we are at the end of ourselves it’s then we turn to—and depend on—God’s strength. “Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary,” Isaiah 40:31 NASV

5. Realize that the waiting is part of God’s ultimate YES!

Romans 11:34-36 says, “Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes.” (MSG). Even though the waiting was hard the final yes was much more beautiful than I ever imagined.

For me, Jesus’ ultimate YES wasn’t one child adopted but SEVEN. Yes, seven. When God opened the doors He opened a floodgate, and we adopted seven children in five years.

Looking back I’m so thankful for the time of waiting. I’m thankful that I allowed God to prepare my heart and my life. God’s YES was bigger than I ever hoped or dreamed.

Here’s a prayer for you:

Oh Lord, I know You’re a good God, but the truth is that I’m tried of waiting. I know You have the perfect answer. I trust You have the perfect solution, but waiting for the moment you decreed is tough.

Please be with me as I wait. Let me see You as I never have before. Help me to trust You and see You in new ways. Prepare my heart, Lord, as I wait, and finally thank You for Your ultimate yes.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Friend, today I’m also praying for you. I’m praying that God’s current NO will allow time, space and preparation for His ultimate YES. To God be the glory!

Waiting is difficult.

And difficult times are often when we grumble. I know I did. But as I grasped the beauty of God’s plan I became more aware of how the waiting can conform us to His likeness. When we grumble and complain we miss the opportunity to behold His majesty in our circumstances.

Last year my family and I embarked on a journey to living out a grumble free year and to grab ahold of the life of joy that God has promised us. And you know what? We did it! It wasn’t always easy and we weren’t always grateful. But we learned to find our peace beyond our circumstances and to thank God for that. That mindset has made all the difference in the state of our hearts.

These days we are living different lives.

Oh, we still face trials and disappointments, as everyone does from time to time. But we’ve learned to focus on the good and the Giver of good gifts–the best of which is Himself.

You might also like Don’t Despise the Wait.

October 2, 2019 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Chore Charts Can Curb Complaining

When we adopted our two sweet children, we sort of went into “survival” mode. Both children had emotional issues, and they need weekly behavioral therapy. Bella was enrolled in a therapy school, and Casey had physical, occupational, and speech therapy. I was spending hours and hours each day on the road. I was happy if I could somewhat maintain the house, and assigning chores to my kids wasn’t even on my radar.

Now, things are different. My kids have graduated from all their therapy programs. They are sweet, happy children. You’d never know that a not so long ago they had major issues. (Thank you, God!) But they are still kids and they have normal daily struggles just like any other child–or adult. One thing that helps keep our order from falling into chaos is chores.

With such a big family, it would be impossible to accomplish all the things we need to get done every day if we didn’t share the work. We believe that’s part of being a family–everyone works together to keep things running smoothly. So we taught our children how to be responsible for themselves and others by doing household chores.

This is how we got started:

First, I found a FREE printable chore chart here.

I printed up several BLANK copies of the chart so I could tailor them for my kids.

This website also gave me great ideas of what kids could do at different ages.

How to create a chore time routine for your kids: (@TriciaGoyer #Balanced)

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Here’s a sample list we started with:

Bella

Pick up toys
Put laundry in hamper
Take dishes to sink after meal
Make bed
Set plates and cups for dinner
Match socks

Alyssa

Pick up toys
Put laundry in hamper
Sort laundry
Take dishes to sink after meal
Make bed
Set napkins and silverware for dinner

Casey

Pick up toys
Put laundry in hamper
Check mailbox
Take dishes to sink after meal
Make bed

As they have gotten older I’ve added more, but this was a great place to start!

If you’re just starting out with chores, know it might take a couple of weeks for your kids to get their chores down, but the work you put in now will be worth it. I saw this with my first round of kids. Just know that the more training you put in now will benefit your family’s teamwork later.

The more training you put in now will benefit your family’s teamwork later. @TriciaGoyer

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Teaching your children life skills doesn’t have to stop at folding laundry or picking up their things. When I realized that our family struggled with grumpiness and ungratefulness we embarked on a year-long journey to get grumble free. Find the book here and join us on the journey to gratitude and thankfulness in The Grumble Free Year!

Daily Prayer

Dear Lord,

Sometimes it’s so much easier just to do things myself than to train my children. Yet I know that so much of “today” is really about “tomorrow” and the men and women they will grow to be. Help me to be diligent, Lord, to teach them diligence. Help me to be faithful with my time, attention, home and resources, so my children will understand how to be faithful in all things you have so graciously given us.

In Jesus name, Amen.

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September 23, 2019 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

A Forever Home ~Hope for Orphans

I know my writing work is important because I get emails, tweets, and Facebook notes from online readers. But God reminds me often that my ministry isn’t just online … it’s offline, too.

There are seasons when the most important heart I can touch is within arm’s reach.

My ministry isn’t just online…it’s offline & in arm’s reach @TriciaGoyer #adoption

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I open my arms and the small girl steps forward and enters my embrace. Even though I expect her to be more hesitant, she asks me to hold her. I cradle her thin, frail frame and peer into her blue eyes. Just five years old but her eyes are filled with stories . . . ones she’s not yet able to tell me. Maybe over time she will.

I thought my life became unsettled when my husband and I welcomed two foster children to join our family. I don’t think I know “unsettled.” Not really.

Not like this sweet girl.

“It’s always scary going to a new home,” she confided in me just a few days after joining us. Tears fill my eyes as I hear her words, but I try not to let them show. The file the social worker gave me is three inches thick, and after reading the reports I discover our home is only one of many in recent months. Those homes were only meant to be temporary, but ours is meant to be her “forever.” Our words tell her that. When will her heart start to believe it?

She is the older one, and she cares for her younger brother still. She alerts me when he’s waking from his nap. His voice is barely a squeak as it calls for “Mama,” but she hears it.

I tell her that she can just be a kid now; I’ll watch out for her brother. That’s a concern she’ll no longer have to carry. She nods, but I can tell…

She’s waiting to see if she can really believe that, trust that.

Some of her emotions are hidden, and others are displayed too loudly, too vocally, too wildly. She cries over the smallest problem and then looks to me for help. I can read the question in her eyes, “Are you going to help me with this? And this? And this?” She wants to make sure. She’s has a hard time believing it’s true. Believing that I’ll be there. That I’ll care.

And even when she’s naughty I don’t get angry. Compassion seeps out. I know what she’s gone through . . . at no fault of her own. She was innocent and so many others have wounded her.

I open my arms to my new daughter. She has given me a glimpse of the love of God as I’ve never known.

I understand His love for me better. I know His compassion for me more. He knows the pain I carry, too, often at no fault of my own. And when I act out, or cry out, or reach out, He—my God—wants nothing more than to open His arms of love. He CANNOT wait for the day when I’m ushered into His forever home.

I thought we were opening our home to help the orphans, but I am the one who is helped.

I’ve never felt so weak as a mom, unsure of my words and actions. And yet I’ve also never felt so strong, for it is God’s strength that fills me. It is His love that pours through me as my brown eyes meet her blue ones and radiate one message, “Daughter, trust me. This is your forever home.”

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the sweet little lives you’ve blessed me with and the constant reminders they show me of Your love. May my parenting point them to you, the perfect Father. What a comfort to know my forever home is in your loving arms!

A Forever Home ~Hope for Orphans

Maybe adoption has been on your mind as well, but you have questions. How can we manage the financial component of adoption? What would the process look like? Are we enough to help a child in need of a family? Believe me, everyone has asked the hard questions. And for good reason–adoption is a commitment to be a forever family.

But don’t be afraid. There are answers. If you ask, I believe that God will guide your decisions and your family as you seek His will for adopting. And right now there is a place to get many of your questions answered–the Adoption Summit. It’s completely online and a perfect way to access the information you need to make any decision regarding adoption.

As an adoptive mom, I know how important it is to be as prepared as you possibly can. The Adoption Summit is a great opportunity for you to take the next step and learn more about adoption. And right now you can get a FREE ticket here: www.adoptionsummit.com

For more posts and information on adoption, check out my adoption directory!

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Adoption

God is not a genie in a bottle.

The number-one thing that changes when I pray . . . is me.

Prayer changes the future because:

“Lord, give us the child YOU desire. I know you placed adoption on my heart for a reason.”

Prayer changed the future because:

How Prayer Changes the Future for Adoption

Homeschool Scheduling Hope

Teacher’s Guide

Watch the video unboxing here:

Hope and Refreshment for Homeschooling Parents

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

What dream is big to God in your life?

7 Truths about Walking Out God’s Word

1. God’s mandates are given for a reason.

3. Walking out God’s Word takes action.

4. To walk out what God’s Word we need to depend on Him.

5. We must focus on the one thing God asks us to do.

6. Our calling is to become more like Jesus.

7. Know your steps of faith define your future.

“Who we choose to become and how we choose to live every day creates a trajectory for everything else,” said author Jerry Sittser. “Perhaps that is why the Bible says so little about God’s will for tomorrow and so much about what we should do to fulfill his will today.”

This post originally appeared here: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/7-truths-about-walking-out-god-s-word.html

Love without Borders with Angela Braniff

Who is Angela Braniff?

You can order Love without Borders HERE.

About the Book:

Walk It Out Scripture

Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Angela Braniff

Connect with Tricia

Hard Places in Adoption and How Prayer Changes Things

More than that, my right actions as a mom do not equal my children making good choices as they near or enter adulthood—that’s never guaranteed for any parent.

There were three things I hadn’t taken into account though, things that I can’t control.

1. Healing from past trauma takes longer than anticipated.

2. Sometimes actions or reactions aren’t something kids from hard places can control.

3. Every young adult makes mistakes—adopted or not.

Read the rest of Hard Places in Adoption and How Prayer Changes Things here:

Hard Places in Adoption and How Prayer Changes Things

Calming Angry Kids

There is help. There is hope. And there can be calm.

As you know, I wrote Tom’s story in Twice-Rescued Child.​

​

One Man’s Story of Hope

This was Thomas’ first rescue, aboard what became known as the Kindertransport.

Answered Prayers

God Makes A Way

One Man’s Story of Hope Shares The Gospel

​One Man’s Story of Hope

God, indeed, had wonderful plans for this rescued child! You can watch my interviews with Tom here:

What Does God Ask of Us?

1. Believe in Jesus.

3. Read the Bible.

5. Forgive others.

7. Pray all the time.

9. Care for the widows and orphans.

Now, I want to pray for you:

How To Wait Patiently

We wonder if God hears. We question if God cares. That’s called doubt.

After ten years of waiting my heart was broken. Why God? Why?

The Bible is filled with those who wait.

As he took the child, Jesus, in his arms Simeon proclaimed it was worth the wait.

What to do while you wait:

1. Be thankful for who God is and what He’s done.

2. Walk in obedience in what God has already called you to.

3. Be honest in your struggle.

4. Seek God for strength.

5. Realize that the waiting is part of God’s ultimate YES!

Here’s a prayer for you:

Waiting is difficult.

These days we are living different lives.

Here’s a sample list we started with:

Daily Prayer

There are seasons when the most important heart I can touch is within arm’s reach.

Not like this sweet girl.

She’s waiting to see if she can really believe that, trust that.

I thought we were opening our home to help the orphans, but I am the one who is helped.

A Forever Home ~Hope for Orphans

For more posts and information on adoption, check out my adoption directory!

As you know, I wrote Tom’s story in Twice-Rescued Child.

One Man’s Story of Hope