As I sit here Christmas morning, I can't help but reflecting on something that God revealed to me.  I woke up early... really early.  I didn't wake up because of the excitement of what Santa brought and put under the tree, but because (I believe) God wanted to spend some time with me and speak words of encouragement and love to me.  So as I prepared my coffee and sat down with my Bible, I began to read the letter Paul wrote to Titus.  Within this letter, God spoke to me through four seemingly small verses:

In these four verses, God reminded me of two important things:

1. No Christmas... No Grace - It's easy to get caught up in the presents, the tree, the lights, the food, the family... all good things, but they are not the most important thing.  We celebrate Christmas because Christmas is the birth of Jesus.  Without the birth of Jesus, then God's grace would not have been revealed to us.  God chose to show us His grace through Jesus!  I like the way Tony Merida describes God's grace, "The grace of God refers to His unmerited favor, His goodness and kindness, His compassion and mercy demonstrated to undeserving sinners."  That's grace... God's undeserved favor towards me a sinner!  God's grace showed up in the form of a baby named Jesus to bring salvation to all people!  Jesus was born to show me grace.  So simply put... No Jesus, no grace.
2. No Christmas... No Hope - God reminded me that God's grace is also accompanied by His glory!  As I live in the world today, I am continually reminded that this earth is not my home and this world is not where I will spend eternity.  However, right now I am called to wait.  I am waiting for "that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed."  Titus 2:11-14 shows us two appearances... the appearance of God's grace through the birth of Jesus and we wait for the appearance of God's glory when He will come and establish His kingdom here on earth.  Both appearances speak of one person: Jesus.  Without Christmas, there would be no Jesus and ultimately no hope for the future that God has for me.  With a constant gaze and the experience of grace, our eyes are fixed heavenward with one and only one hope: His coming!*

Paul writes that God's grace and glory can be summed up in one simple word... Jesus.  God has offered His grace and glory to all people!

So this Christmas I choose to celebrate Jesus... not my family, not what's under the tree or in a stocking hung by the chimney with care... I choose to celebrate the grace that has been given to me by God who came in the form of a baby to endure a cross for my sin.  I choose to celebrate the fact that Jesus took away the penalty, the power and will ultimately take away the presence of sin in my life.  That is Christmas and I am so thankful God reminded me of that this morning.

Merry Christmas!

- Rick

* Platt, David, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida. Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2013. 281. Print.

Dear Friends and Family,

Well the truth is we never left for Kansas. Sadly, 24 hours before we were to fly out, we got a call from our attorney advising us not to come. This event was one that began from a series of events in the birth mom’s life we were unaware of, and that more than likely, involved another individual. Although we don’t know, and may never know, the true reason she changed her mind, at this point, we will not be adopting this baby boy.

Our hearts are broken as we grieve the loss of this child and the loss of another dream. Although there is a possibility she could, again, change her mind in the hospital, our focus right now is separating ourselves from this situation and seeking Christ.

Despite this very difficult loss we are very thankful for all your prayers and support to us in this process. We have a Hope that is bigger than this loss. It is in that Hope we put our trust, lives, and dreams in. We are so thankful this holiday season is a reminder that Christ came down as hope for all of us. He is hope for this broken world, hope for an eternity with him celebrating with all those we have lost, and hope of the promise he will never leave us despite the trials in this world.

As we grieve, we are thankful for hope and we are thankful for all of you. We ask that you would continue to pray, as the baby will be born tomorrow (Wednesday, December 3rd). Please continue to pray for:

• The birth mom- her health both physically and emotionally as she prepares to deliver this child.

• The child’s health as he enters this world.
• That God’s will would be done in this situation. If God’s will is for this adoption please pray that God would speak to her heart and the hearts of others around her. If it is not adoption pray God speaks to our hearts about what his plans are for us.
• Pray for us as we grieve this loss. Pray that God would heal our hearts and that we would resist the anger, frustration, and self doubt that can come from this. Pray our only hope would rest in Christ and that we would not hold onto the possibility she will, again, change her mind, but for God’s will to be accomplished.

We continue to be overwhelmed with love and support from you. It helps in not only the good times, but the times of trouble too. Thank you for everything you have done and what you continue to do to support our growing family.

For those of you who gave money, please know that we are beyond grateful. Regardless of the outcome your support helped this mother be stable and safe, if even for just a few months. To us, that is so meaningful. God has given us a heart for this birth mom. However, we realize you gave to help our little family of three (yes, we always count Gus our dog) become a family of four. Since this is a failed adoption, our intent is to pay you back.

Thank you again for all you do for us. We will send one last update when the adoption is closed.

Love,
Rick and Danielle