Blowing Snot Bubbles

I know….ewww…..gross!

But seriously!  Have you ever found yourself so grieved, crying uncontrollably that you felt as you could fill a pool of sorrows from the pain and tears that you find yourself trying to breathe and looking for a Kleenex?  You know, because you have a giant snot bubble protruding!  Then there are the tears of joy!  Something you have prayed earnestly for!  Something so grand and awesome, you are in awe of how God answered your prayers in such a big way!  And for certain, there is abundant rejoicing and the occasional…..you guessed it, snot bubble!  Or how about being with a group of friends and you are laughing so hard you can’t catch your breath, the tears are flowing like the waterfall over a cliff, you’re bent over because your stomach is literally getting a workout (crossfit style, of-course), and here it comes…..a snot bubble!

I have been in each of those situations, yes I know, TMI!  Today, I was going through some books in my office, kinda doing a reorganization and came across a scrapbook that I put together depicting the first couple years of ABBA Adoption.  As I was flipping through the book I was faced with back to back adoptions where snot bubbles made it in the pictures.  I think where this journey of life has taken me these days, this really stood out to me.  One of anguish yet peace and the other of joy and thankfulness.  Both, an answered prayer.

PICTURE 1 This is a young lady who found herself in a crisis pregnancy.  Never thought she would ever be faced with making such hard decisions at such a young age.  Reflecting to the “what if I hadn’t” in life, yet faced with the reality of her actions.  But she is strong!  She is selfless!  She decides that this child is worth having a life.  Her bravery and fearlessness to choose what she feels is best for this precious baby hurts to the core of her being yet she has peace in knowing she is providing for this baby through her life plan of adoption.

I immediately reflected to how I felt a few times in my life with the most recent losing my dad.  As I had the privilege to sit and hold my dad as he took his last final breath, the pain was so unbearable!  I sobbed till I was choking!  I hated he was no longer with me.  No more watching sports with my dad.  Spending time grilling together was over.  Our long talks on the back porch by the pool would be no more!  As much as I was in agony, I was also at peace that my dad would no longer have to suffer in this fallen world.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” ~ Psalm 147.3

PICTURE 2 I’ll never forget speaking with this sweet couple for the very first time.  The husband was a bit cautious………really I am putting it mildly……..he was skeptical because ABBA Adoption was a new adoption agency (I however wasn’t new to adoption work).  Adoption is very expensive and they lived in a different state.  He put on such a hard manly front and his poor sweet wife was taken aback thinking he had offended me.  Actually, he never bothered me, he was being the leader of his home and wanted to ensure his wife wasn’t going to get hurt.  Nevertheless, the hard shell broke, I gained his trust, and they signed on with ABBA Adoption as one of our first families.  He took the risk!  They matched with a birth mother and looked forward with nervous anticipation as the birth of the baby approached.  The birth mother wanted the baby placed in the daddy’s hands first (she also knew he was a teddy bear).  I truly don’t think I have ever seen a man cry so hard!  He was in awe!  He was thanking the Lord for the gift of life through adoption and the opportunity that he and his wife had to show the love of Christ to a lady who needed to see grace in her own life.  I have to say, this snot bubble picture is one of my absolute favorites!  Every time I gaze at this picture I am reminded of how God breaks through the hard shell of our sinful hearts and does such an amazing work of sanctification in our lives when we will just release and trust him.  AND THEN…….I giggle!  I unequivocally LOVE this picture!

In my own life I have been faced with trials, fears, and uncertainties.  I have prayed BIG things.  I have relinquished control and gave it all to the Lord.  He has answered prayers in ways I have never anticipated.  Everything from making provisions to giving me the desires of my heart!

“You sent Your good Spirit to instruct them.  You did not withhold Your manna from them, and providing water to quench their thirst.” ~ Nehemiah 9.20

PICTURE 3 This is a mental picture!  It’s the times with friends and family.  It’s those moments when your kids/husband say or do something so insanely funny, you’re rolling on the floor with tears.  The time you’re hanging with friends and the laughter becomes uncontrollable, your stomach is hurting, you can’t breathe, you make eye contact….and it just intensifies, and then yes, the snot bubble comes and the tears are flowing and you just need to pull it together to get through the rest of the story.  I love these moments in life!  They are precious pictures engraved in the heart.

“Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs.  Then the nations said “The Lord has done spectacular things for them.” The Lord has done spectacular things for us.  We are overjoyed” ~ Psalm 126.2-3

What’s your snot bubble moment?