Patience, Humbleness, Fear, Pure Hearts... Success?

Well, I was just reading and jotting some notes... Proverbs is just so powerful.

Proverbs 16
1 We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.
(note to self, it doesn't say when He will answer, it will just be the right answer)

2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.
(do not judge)

3 Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
(take it to God)

4 The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.
(may we fear the Lord enough to never be considered wicked)

5 The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.
(hopefully we are a humble people)

6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil. (may we always give freely the love God has so freely given us)

7 When people's lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.
(we do pray our lives are pleasing to the Lord and if it gives our "enemies" peace, we are so thankful)

8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.
(we pray for to be rich in godliness)

9 We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
(it is a good thing too otherwise we would truly be lost)

10 The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.
(we pray for God's mercy when our judgment day comes)

11 The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness. (may we always use His scales for measuring not only others but ourselves)

12 A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.
(just thinking God detests wrongdoing too...)

13 The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.
(honesty is the best policy)

14 The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.
(respond with kindness always)

15 When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.
(being approved by the King of kings is a fresh bouquet of spring flowers)

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!
(the value of wisdom cannot be measured neither can fair judgment)

17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.
(allow God to guide your path)

18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
(Lord how I hate skinned knees)

19 Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
(humbleness is warm and inviting)

20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.
(Wisdom and joy - immeasurable)

21 The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.
(wisdom needs no persuasion)

22 Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.
(listen to your gut that is discretion)

23 From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
(truth is leading)

24 Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
(it takes a minimum of 7 positives to negate one negative)

25 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
(death of self is eternal life)

26 It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. (no work, no food)

27 Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.
(scoundrels is my new word for hoodlums)

28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
(the tongue cuts wounds only the Father can heal)

29 Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.
(deceitful scoundrels)

30 With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.
(scoundrels)

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
(or by surviving your child's 12th year of life)

32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
(respond in kindness)

33 We may throw the dice,* but the LORD determines how they fall.
(and He sometimes cushions the blow - thank you!)

God knows us so much better than we know ourselves. He knows how to teach you and I how we learn best - does He use His word, others, circumstances or... He uses all those with each of us but He knows which one to use the most, the one that is most effective for each individual person on Earth.

I am very visual, even our kids have learned at young ages we have to show mom. God sometimes has to show me and well sometimes it is abrupt but sometimes it is as gentle as the scripture above.

We have carefully taken our adoption commitment to God, we have pure motives, we fear Him more than anyone or anything (even spiders and snakes), we are not a proud people, we have gray hair (well we are sure if Steve had hair it would be gray too, ha, ha - sorry honey) but we are most grateful the Lord will determine where we fall and He will surely cushion if necessary.

This is not to say that we have not gone boldly to thrown of God and reminded Him of all this and that His word says He will cause our plans to succeed.

Joseph and Chelsea we are being obedient to the Lord, we are waiting patiently with great anticipation that God has chosen this family, us, for you to call your own forever and ever. We are romantics and we do believe in love at first sight, we have loved you from the moment we first laid eyes on your pictures. You have been thought of and prayed for periodically through out each day. We love you and we are committed to you forever.

All our love,
Steve, Melanie, Amanda and Joshua