It is said, “the course of true love never runs smoothly” and I suppose that includes adoption as well! Just as the end was in sight and we were about to set a court date to finalize things, we encountered some pretty severe obstacles. I don’t think they are deal-breakers, but they could delay things and may add some expense. I can’t really be specific, because it involves confidentiality issues, but it really made me first angry, then sad, then just really hyper because I couldn’t get my brain to shut down!

I’ve never been through an adoption before, thus it stands to reason that I’m new to the setbacks that go along with the territory. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Pray: I have found I need to pray before and after phone calls. I have to pray to keep my cool with my son because I’m so on edge and dashing about doing a gazillion things related to the adoption. I have to pray for help in quieting my thoughts so I can rest. I am praying multiple times daily just to avoid spilling over into sinful anger, a blue funk or some other unproductive state. I, literally, need to, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Ask others to pray: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15). Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Brainstorm: After the initial wave(s) of emotion hit us, my husband and I sat down for a brainstorming session. We generated a lot of great questions and ideas.

Plan ahead: We know we will need to travel, so I’ve been visiting Kayak daily to scope out airfares and the like.

Seek help: Get your adoption professionals involved when and where it makes sense. We’ve been having multiple daily conversations with both our social worker and our attorney; both of whom have been extremely generous with their time and resources in addition to offers of transportation, housing and other comforts of home when we visit.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. (Romans 12:10-13)

Make quiet time: “Cease striving and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10), Make time to spend in study, prayer, devotion and praise.

Take care of yourself: Eat properly, rest, exercise and pamper yourself. Even if it’s just a few extra minutes in a hot shower, do something to pamper and re-energize yourself.

Realize God is in charge: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).

Take comfort in the knowledge that God is in control of all things, “and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). There will come setbacks, delays, hardships and strife. But, thankfully, these things are but “for a season.” Our home and treasure are in Heaven and this life, with all it’s troubles and toils, is temporary. I leave you with wisdom from God, through the apostle Paul:

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)