By Tiffany Wilkins

Life can be hard. We live in a sinful, fallen world and can become discouraged and worn down by what goes on around us. This is evident with the histories many of our children bring with them into our home.

Although I have received great training and continue to educate myself on parenting adopted children, I sometimes fail to parent out of compassion. I fall short in keeping their past in the forefront of my mind. Instead, I add to the sin by holding them to a standard they aren’t able to meet.

Whether I am feeling disappointed in a decision my child has made or defeated because of my own response, I can begin to focus on my circumstances and become enveloped in fear and doubt. The “what ifs” and “if onlys” begin to race through my mind.

The best antidote has always been for me to “set my mind on the things above and not on the things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2 NASB). One of my go-to passages for this is Revelation 19:11-16 (NASB):

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name written on him which no one knows except himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it he may strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; and he treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, “King of kings and Lord of lords."

In this passage we see Christ returning, riding on a white horse ready to make right that which is wrong. I love the description of him as faithful and true. It challenges me to strive for those qualities with his help. In light of who he is, it brings my temporary struggles into an eternal perspective.

Remember that life is a battle, adoption is a calling and we serve a great victor who will eventually bring things back into order. Today, let us remember that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” and choose to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV).

Tiffany and Garth Wilkins adopted two awesome kids, Vlad and Sasha, from St. Petersburg, Russia through Buckner. They have taught Tiffany more about her relationship with God than anything else.

Prayer of the Week:
-God, we take comfort in knowing that Jesus is victorious over death and will be victorious at the end of all things. Help us to remember that our troubles are "light and momentary," even when they don't feel that way. Give us strength today to bear the things we must and give thanks to you through it all.

Editor's note: November is National Adoption Month. To learn more about the ways you can Be A Family to a vulnerable child through Buckner, please visit www.beafamily.org.