A Collection

Some collect spoons. Magnets. Figurines. Hats. Antiques.

I collect 2 unique things.

I'm pretty sure that I am a book collector.

I love books.  I'm not someone who will ever have a kindle or read on an Ipad. It has to have pages. That smell like paper.

Right now, I have a collection of 8 books waiting to be finished.  What is wrong with me?  I can't just focus on one topic.  One book.  One thing at a time.  I have a collection of thoughts going on right now.

Books are purchased before I can even begin to think about reading them.  And I buy them and desire to start them when I'm the busiest.

I start. I stop and start another. I stop that one and start another one. I pick up the first and start again. Then I start a new one. Then stop and start the 2nd one again.  It is crazy.  I just love to read.  I love to collect thoughts.

But I don't take the time often enough.

As nuts as all this sounds, I do finish books.  It's not like I start and don't finish.

But I have to admit. When I start a Jen Hatmaker book or a John Piper book or a Charles Martin book, I don't let any others interrupt (no pun intended, Jen Hatmaker).

I collect books.

What does this have to do with adoption, you ask.  Well, I also collect emails from our adoption caseworker.

Others who are in the adoption wait, start a collection of adoption blogs to follow, get a collection of adoption books to read and collect adoption bracelets, t-shirts, etc.  I think that is great for some but I'm not one of those who has those collections.

I collect her emails. Words. Our experience.  Our waiting.  Our caseworker's encouragement and hope.

But I stop and ask, What does the Lord want me to collect?
I realized that the Lord requires a collection of a few things.

A collection of His Word in my heart to call upon.
A collection of comfort.
A collection of wisdom.
A collection of passion.
A collection of humility.
A collection of patience.
A collection of compassion.
A collection of His promises.

All the things He would like for us to collect are for the purpose of giving away to someone in need.  Collect them. Use them.  Give them.

 I will keep moving through my book collection.  And I will find hope in her emails.

But I will RELY on the Lord to supply all HIS collections I need to wait.....