I have been reflecting on the journey the Lord has walked me through the past 20 years. Partly because one season of my journey is so close to nearing an end, and partly because of believing for another exciting chapter when this current chapter does conclude. I have been so blessed to have been given the privilege of raising three biological children and three adopted children, and all that goes with being a stay-at-home homeschool mom for the children the Lord gifted me with. I have also had the unique experience of having experienced only two pregnancies, yet six children; giving birth to a single, a set of twins, and a set of three older non-English speaking children within the span of 12 years. Currently we have five teenagers between the ages of 14 and 19 (three are age 16) and one is almost a teen.

There are so many dynamics with all of that it’s difficult to know where to begin. The purpose of reflecting on all of this, however, is to narrow in on the giftings Father God places within each individual child. The Lord impressed in my heart early on in my teaching career (I taught elementary music in the public schools for almost 10 years (prior to having children of our own), and private piano and preschool music classes for 20+ years) to expect much from children because they would rise to the occasion. My daughter was just barely out of diapers when we started her on Suzuki violin. Her brothers were both four years old when they started Suzuki violin and mandolin, as well as piano. Out of the hours of practice, lessons and listening to much music arose exceptionally acute musical ears and skillful abilities that the Lord told me early on to teach them to use for His glory. We are blessed with three biological children whose natural giftings have been trained with excellence and whose hearts have been trained to live for Him (between the three children drums, electric and acoustic guitar, bass guitar, song writing, singing, keyboards and dancing are skillfully and enthusiastically going 24/7), and it’s time to let them begin solo flights on their own (mom’s having the roughest adjustment of letting go in this season – I will not know how to adjust to the literal quiet – but I know it’s the Lord’s will to launch them out individually to be more effective for His Kingdom).

Then there’s our three whose early years began in the fear and depravity of poverty in Guatemala, the brokenness of family, and orphanage life; not yet being able to experience all of the good plans the Lord had for them. When they arrived in our family they knew no English and that was probably the easiest adjustment, although by God’s grace none of it was ever really difficult. We have been blessed to be able to watch them receive Christ as their Savior, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and pursue a relationship with the Lord (as with our biological three) that is deep and solid. The Lord has bestowed on them supernatural giftings that Scripture exhorts us to pray and believe for. I know our oldest adopted daughter will live to see the Lord heal sickness and disease through her hands and her prayers. She is a worshiper and the Lord has anointed her to do greater works. She worships with her hands as an artist and crafter – her hands are always able to create the most beautiful works of art – sometimes out of nothing. The Lord has given her a heart to return to the country she began in as a missionary, in order to share with all of the broken children of that nation the healing love of Christ; to share what He has done for her with each and every one. Her younger sister will probably do her own version of that very thing, only with preschoolers in the U.S.. She has been blessed with angelic visitations, being able to see visions and have dreams, just as prophesied in Joel 2. Much of our family’s journey has been spoken through her lips from the Lord. She is good with words and the Lord is anointing that gift in song and poetry as I write. I also sense there’s a prophetic dancer in there that is waiting to be awakened…Our youngest has the charisma of an evangelist and the supernatural gifting to hear a kairos word from the Lord through Scripture exactly at the moment it’s needed. It took me three years to teach him to read (he still struggles with language) but the first book he learned to read was the Bible. He loves the Word of God and He knows it well, and he will forever be a student of God’s Word. He’s still working through the journey and not yet ready to fly, but when he is, I pray and trust he will do mighty things for the Kingdom of God alone.

As a rich and major chapter in my life is approaching its close (one that I have poured myself into by the grace of God for 19+ years), I know that the Lord is not done with me yet. I know that the “small beginnings” He told me not to despise (the days in the thick of cooking for eight when I truly dislike cooking for one, laundry, schoolwork, messy houses, disagreements, chauffeuring to all of the lessons, expenses that seem to never end, and all of the dynamics that come with a family of eight people being together 24/7, 7 days a week) are the foundations for not only their six lives and callings here on earth, but for preparing my heart to seek out those children that are on His heart the rest of my life.

Deep in my spirit I see so many…I see them when I pray…I see them when I worship…so many who the Lord has only amazing plans and purposes for who are just waiting for someone to point them to their Heavenly Father…to the One who will never leave them nor forsake them; to the One who loves them perfectly and unconditionally; to the One who is always able to provide for every need; to the One who has placed creative and supernatural gifts and talents within each and every one that are waiting to be stirred, waiting to be called forth, and waiting to be identified, nurtured and equipped.

All are worshipers; some are intercessors; some artists; some musicians; some dancers; some poets and writers; some prophets; some apostles; some pastors; some teachers; some evangelists; some have the gift of healing; some the gift of helps…the fruit and list of Kingdom giftings and callings is infinite. I have prayed for many years for the Samuels…those who long to know and live in His presence and desire to hear and obey His voice…for the Davids, Daniels and Josiahs…who from an early age learned to be wholehearted, committed and to live for the Lord alone…for the Esthers, the Ruths, the Marys…I’ve prayed the Lord would send me to them to introduce them to their Heavenly Father and to the desire of Jesus as Lord of their whole heart, soul, mind and strength…to call forth, equip and nurture their natural and supernatural giftings for the glory of God that they would be mighty in taking this nation (or whatever nation they are currently in) back for the Kingdom of Heaven.

It’s all about teaching them to worship Him in Spirit and in truth…the Holy Spirit does all the work…He’s just looking for someone who’ll point them in His direction and be the vessel of the supernatural flowing through to the natural. “Here I am, Lord, send me…” is a prayer I’ve prayed so many times. “Where are the Samuels, Lord?”, another. Use me to mentor them in Your ways. They’re out there…they are on the streets, in broken homes, lost in the foster care system, in orphanages, in abusive homes, abandoned, neglected, desperate, alone…there’s at least 215 million known orphaned children…just for starters…needing to know Someone cares…needing to know their lives have purpose and meaning…needing freedom from the traps and only known cultural means and modes of survival…it’s too big to even get one’s mind around…that’s why I know it’s God and I know it’s something beyond the norm…it’s a supernatural, Spirit-empowered something…something I’m currently praying for vibrant revelation about.

I’m here…they are “out there.” In this next chapter of my life, beginning this year – my year of Jubilee – I have faith and hope that He will give me Heaven’s strategy for connecting us somehow, someway…anticipation of a supernatural Kingdom plan that is beyond my wildest hopes and dreams…one that my own children will somehow connect to and/or sow into in some way even as they leave the nest for their own ministries, callings and families…for such a time as this. Please agree with me in prayer concerning this new chapter the Lord has for every precious child.