Guest blogger- Living life for the One who gave us life to live

HI friends, I am happy to say that Tymm Hoffman is our guest blogger today. Enjoy his words. Tymm and Laura our the first friends we met at our First Friday adoption groups. this couple has been more encouraging that you will ever know!




Saturday morning I went for a run. Nothing spectacular but I felt pretty good about myself afterwards. Then I ate some lunch, had some ice cream and did some shopping. All of these things delighted me. Later that evening my wife and I met some friends at a neat little Irish Pub. I'm not sure how it looked on the outside but on the inside let me tell you - I was very satisfied with myself. Matter of fact - from the time I woke up that morning until the time I went to bed I pretty much spent the day doing things that made me feel immensely good about me (except for having to stop off at work on a weekend - not quite sure who I was doing that one for).
I am sure we're all somewhat familiar with the biblical directive to "do everything for the glory of God." I believe you can find evidence of this in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (and probably elsewhere) where it is stated:

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Okay. I am nothing if not honest so let's be real here. As a Christian - how do I do this? I mean what the heck does this even mean? For example - shortly before writing this I had a sandwich. I ate that sandwich so fast I am pretty sure someone would have had a hard time seeing what was even on it let alone seeing or finding any glory for God in it. I bet God is even still wondering what was on it.
It all boils down to this... Certain things we do in our lives - even as Christians - are really hard to do for the glory of God. They just are. But you know what isn't? You know what act that people commit that I think not only shows the glory of God but exudes it - it just oozes it from every single pore. It's overflowing with His glory. It's got buckets and buckets of His glory and still some glory is slopping out on to the floor because you really just can't contain the glory associated with this act. You know what that act is?
That's right. ADOPTION.
Adoption has to be one of the most selfless acts somebody can take part in. Now I know there is a veritable cornucopia of circumstances that lead people to adoption. And I even know from some unfortunate personal experiences (in some newsgroups) that not everyone that adopts feels that God led them there or even believes in God. But I also know that something like 90% of adoptions are faith-based. Regardless of how you got to the point of adoption and what you believe about God's involvement - one thing is clearly and abundantly seen through this process - God's Glory. I think that God hold's a special place in His heavenly heart for those who choose to adopt since He too is an adoptive Father. We are all adopted through His son Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3-6):

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

I think God smiles really big at those who choose to put aside their own desires and accept the plans God has for them. He beams - grinning like the Cheshire Cat - when He sees you step out on faith, out of your comfort zone to welcome a child in to your home with the open arms and unconditional love that only a parent can give. He revels in pride and pleasure when you readjust, reorganize, restructure and sacrifice so that a child - one child in this huge world of many - may be given a chance to know Him better.
Yes - I really think God has a special spot in His heart for those who willingly say "Use me God. Bring my child to me, wherever he or she may be. Help me adopt." And that is something you simply can't do without showing the glory of God. There's so much of His glory involved in the adoption process that you're bound to get some on ya. You're family will see it. Your neighbors. Your co-workers. They are all going to see it.
If you're reading this on Amy's wonderful site you are probably involved in an adoption yourself. And if that's the case - stop what you're doing - go outside and put your hand up in the air. High as ya can. God wants to give you a high-five.
Me? I am going to go make another sandwich - with a little more glory on it.