When we were in Russia at the airport, ready to take Anton to his new country, it was quite an emotional time and perhaps that was a turning point for having now a greater appreciation for our country. We have a lot to be thankful for. And a lot to pray about. In summary, that God would allow us to be a blessing to others in the world, through missions, humanitarian aid, adoption, opportunity through industry (capitalism), and freedom (that costs the ultimate price), to be found pleasing to Him.
Here's the story that I love to tell (and probably wrote about some of these things in earlier post). The Russians in the airport wanted to comfort my little 2 1/2 year old, clinging to me tightly (bonding wonderfully), that he is going to another land, but it will be good. He was going to be an "Americansky." Perhaps these nationals working in the airport were more appreciative of other countries, being in a travel industry. But, Russians are very patriotic, as a people. They respect their own country with all its flaws. They really respect it when they see us appreciate our country; that's our duty. Many there love Americans. We were allies once and in many ways still are. Respect and love for country is something that they're taught and maybe it is something we have lost, because, as you know, speaking our minds and criticizing our country is one of freedoms and hobbies (that I indulge in) as part of the First Amendment. They don't speak so freely, and that is part of the problem with Russia, but also convicting to see their respect, according to Romans 13.
Getting back to the story, as we walked our way to through the lines toward the airplane, as the nationals learned that we were adopting our little Anton, they would speak to Anton in Russian. (And I can't talk or type about this without getting teary eyed.) They told him he was going to a wonderful country. And they were sincere; you could see it in their eyes. Some of them were almost envious of him (remember, that adopted children in Russia are a little persecuted. Things are changing, but they are seen as "unwanted children" and because of that will never be "normal.") And yet you can see in some of their eyes the joy for what awaited our little guy. Many of them had tears in their eyes for him. I was very emotional too, because I knew he was leaving his home country, and even though that was "good," I was experiencing a loss of some sort for him. I never expected that. I expected that we'd "high tail" it out of there and be happy about that. I was happy, but it is hard to explain. Perhaps it was just an important moment. I hope someday to visit Russia with him.
I was so thankful that we were taking Anton to a land of opportunity, where he could get good medical care, education, eventually find out who he wanted to be when he grows up. And of course, be loved by his family, who would share the gospel with him and he would not be alone in an institution any more. What opportunities awaited to him! God was bestowing His blessing on him. Everyone could see it. I thought I was being blessed finally getting a child (about time!). And, and I was being blessed, but I realize how much God loves Anton, and how much we should be thankful for our country that was founded on Biblical principles.
We have a lot to pray for. Most of all, prayer of thanks. And prayer that God would revive us, as in the days of the Great Awakening. Pray that "theology" would be important, because it is all about our relationship with our Creator. The churches today are so poor in spirit, but busy, and extravagant...not truly "rich." Doctrine was something people thought about more 200 years ago and prior. That is why the Pilgrims came here because they wanted to worship our God freely.
I hope that our country means something to you. If you have forgotten, just look at my son. What would his life be without the opportunities that have come to him by way of our country. By way of our God.
He loves America. I think the workers in the orphanage trained him during the month before we picked him up (almost 6 years ago today, that would be May 15, 2006). In the car, here in Texas, he would say excitedly (only days after we got him!), "America flag! America flag!" I didn't teach him this. I was convicted. Yea, OK. It's a flag. You see them everywhere. We're in America. ...conviction, because I wasn't ready to teach him these things, but somebody already had (those orphanages aren't all bad). That flag means a lot to Anton. And now it means more to me too.
I pray "thank you Lord for our great country that has afforded us freedom, safety, opportunity...to thrive, to worship, to learn, to grow, to love the Lord our God with all our heart soul, mind and strength."
I have a heart for the world. I would love to work in missions in Russia someday or other part of the world if the Lord wills. But I'll always be thankful for this little experiment called America. People say that her days are limited. And we know in Scripture that all nations will oppose God one day, as they all will oppose Israel who will get a new heart from her God at that time. We know this country won't be forever, and indeed, we see her slipping away before our very eyes. We need a Savior, more than we need a good President.
So, I pray for our country and the hearts of the people here.
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