How to Expand Our Borders in 2018: Open Our Arms Up Wide
My husband and I have known for many years that God was calling us to enlarge our tent and expand our borders.
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. (Isaiah 54:2-3)
The Rearview Mirror
We married at ages 22 and 26, and almost as soon as I became a wife, I became a Christian, and then a mother. We had our (fabulous!) children in years 2, 4, and 6 of our marriage. We started child sponsorship with Compassion right away, one per child. My mother-heart wanted to keep growing, and at that point, we fully expected to have more kiddos.
But then we didn’t.
By this time we had moved a few times for our ministry roles, and settled in to one of the most challenging and rewarding seasons of our life and ministry in northern Maine. This was right after our littlest had her first birthday.
(Look at all that cuteness! How could we not want more??)
But the next 6 years rocked and forever changed us.
Boundary Lines
The boundary lines of our lives were growing wider and our tent was being stretched further, but somehow I couldn’t see it. God wasn’t working how I expected Him to.
We began to explore what it meant for our family to expand our borders. If it didn’t mean more biological children, then it must mean adoption, right? A quick look into international adoption showed us that our immigration status at the time disqualified us. After all, we had recently entered a different country for my husband’s work. A quick perusal of domestic adoption looked like it held potential, but that door soon shut too.
I was confused and discouraged. Why did I have a desire to expand our family borders if in reality we wouldn’t be able to bring others into it?
Pure and Undefiled Religion
At about the same time, God was pressing in on us what worship looks like:
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27)
With this passage, God was igniting our hearts for orphans and widows even though no adoption doors were opening. We studied it, prayed it, and even wrote a song, “Undefiled Worship”, for our congregation. Then all of a sudden, two of the teens in our youth group were effectively abandoned by their family. Surely this was what God was preparing us for! We invited them into our home.
And they turned us down.
God’s Ways are Higher than Ours
We just couldn’t understand why we felt such a burden to enlarge our tents if God didn’t intend to increase our family borders. I confess I was ready to give up on God’s plans for us in this regard. And instead, we just threw ourselves into our ministries, and started filling our empty bedrooms with interns and missionaries. If God didn’t want to expand our borders, then we would.
But His ways are higher than ours. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (Is 55:9)
Little did I realize, this was part of His plan all along.
We began what became a years-long arrangement to provide housing for students interning for ministry. And over time, several stayed with us for one year, two years, our home then becoming their home-base when back from the field.
And what started as a favor to a University we supported became a deeply rewarding facet of our family’s life.
We couldn’t have predicted how our hearts would enlarge to love these young adults.
We could not have expected our children to embrace an older “sister” and “brother” in this way. Our borders had expanded indeed.
Nothing is Up to “Chance”
Then a “chance” meeting with a couple from our church kindled the flame for enlarged borders even more. Even though we barely knew them, they came to our house to share with us her story of adoption. She had placed a child up for open adoption while in her late teens, and had been able to have an active role in his life as he had grown. We couldn’t have known that our “chance” meeting to hear about adoption was another part of our own border expansion. Because it was going to look so different than we could have predicted.
We began to grow closer to this couple, and to do ministry together. We celebrated the birth of their second son with them not long afterward.
And then tragedy struck in the form of a wintery accident, and we had a widow with two tiny boys to love.
Expand Our Borders
Nothing really prepares you for caring for widows and orphans. We just knew we were called to it. God had been whispering to us about it for months…years. And since caring for a young widow in her primary season of bewilderment and grief opens up so many opportunities for withdrawal, misunderstanding, and exhaustion, it is tempting to retreat. But God beckoned us into it, and she welcomed “family”.
We didn’t really know what we were doing, other than loving her and her boys. So we simply made our home their home whenever needed, and tried to listen more than we spoke. We made meals together, changed diapers, cried, and continually offered ourselves to the Lord to be used in their lives. Birthdays, holidays, and regular days were all shared. Our children became like siblings.
Days became weeks, and weeks became months, and months became years. And “Mondays” continued to be a constant for our families to be together.
She emerged from her grief a woman of strength and grace, and her boys triumphed as vivacious and strong bundles of energy and character. And their family ministered to ours over these years every bit as much as we did theirs. Our lives are exponentially richer for this season.
We could not have predicted how God would expand our borders when He began calling. And we would not change this season for the world.
And Now…
It is ten years since that tragic phone call, and both of our families have moved away from each other. Our hearts remain intertwined, our family borders blurred.
And God is calling us to enlarge our tent even more.
I no longer have a preconceived idea of what that might look like. For us it wasn’t having another child or being able to adopt one. Enlarging our tent has looked like:
- One-on-one discipleship
- Supporting Compassion children
- Hosting people without family over the Christmas holidays
- Bringing large groups of students in our home for meals
- Loving our kiddos’ friends and bringing them on vacation with us
- Sharing our faith
- Hosting a life group
- Friends-giving
- Offering our vehicle for others to use
- Grieving with those who grieve
- Celebrating with those who celebrate
- And reaching out to others for help and prayer when we’ve needed it most.
It has looked so different than I could ever have imagined.
For 2018
At this point, I simply open my hands to receive whatever might come our way. In these early hours of 2018, my prayer is that God would help me to continue to open my arms up wide. I pray He would expand our borders in whatever way brings Him most glory.
Our family's chief purpose is to let Jesus' joy loose. Share on XWe will set extra places at our table, make extra beds, or walk with people through seasons of grief. We will have hard conversations, depend on the Lord to fill us with love, and hold people to accountability.
And we believe that as we expand our borders in this way, we will spread out to the right and left, and our joy will be let loose in the desolate corners of the world.
Amen – may this be so.
Elizabeth Joy
Elizabeth Edgett
January 5, 2018
Our family has certainly been on the receiving end of your family’s loving hearts and open arms. As our friendship grew and your family grew, you all quickly grew into our hearts and became our “kids” and “grandkids”. When our family went through the dark days of Dean’s illness, you all were there for us…visits, ice cream sundaes (provided, made and served by the “grandkids”), night vigils, helping with plans and details, and so much more. I will be forever grateful for your continuing love and care expressed in so many ways.
Praying for your family, as God opens opportunities for you to expand your borders and to bring joy into the lives of others!
Elizabeth
January 5, 2018
My dear Elizabeth. You are one of the best examples we’ve always looked to as a family with wide-open borders! You and Dean, and your hundreds of “kids” worldwide, inspired this in us. Walking with you through Dean’s illness and death has been one of the most precious ways God has blessed us with to share His love. ❤️
Nata
January 5, 2018
Some years ago now I was on campus at BBC (for a reason I have since forgot), and though we hadn’t connected in what must have been over a decade Scott sought me out. A visit in his office ended with an invitation to your home and dinner around your table with your kids along with some of the “extras” residing at that time under your “enlarged tent”.
You likely don’t even remember this. But I don’t think I ever expressed to you what it meant to me to be sought out and included that day. To have been brought to a place where I unexpectedly felt truly welcome near the beginning of a season in my life where it hurt so deeply to think that I no longer really belonged where had once been existentially (and, that day, physically), and probably never would or could again.
When you “expand your borders” those that are on the outside will suddenly find themselves inside. And this is a precious gift.
Thank you for ALL the ways that you and Scott have been intentional in caring for and investing in myself and many people that I have loved.
Elizabeth
January 5, 2018
I most certainly do remember that day, Nata! You continue to tug on my heart.❤️ I fondly remember you even taking time to go outside and run around with our pup. You spoke her language! 😊 We continue to love you and pray for you, dear girl! Thank you for your encouraging words.
Rosy Molina
January 5, 2018
This is precious!
I so much appreciate to have the opportunity to meet you and your family!
May God continue to bless you all more and more …
Elizabeth
January 5, 2018
Thank you, Rosy! We need to spend time together soon! 😊
Erica Foster
January 6, 2018
I believe God has used you and your family to bless others because you have your tent enlarged all the time. You constantly invite others into your lives. You reach into others lives no matter how messy it might get. You show compassion, humility and understanding and have much wisdom to share. I’m so thankful and blessed to have been welcomed into your home and lives on many occasions. Thank you for the reminder that I need to keep my “ tent enlarged” so that I’m ready for whatever God calls me to in the areas he’s gifted me. I’m certain 2018 will hold great things if you keep your “tent enlarged” too. Miss you guys!
Elizabeth
January 6, 2018
Oh Erica – we miss you! Thank you for your kind words. 🙂 If this blog post does anything, I hope it does inspire other people to live their lives with open borders to their families. I believe it’s how we are called to love as Christ followers. Happy New Year!
Janice Warren
January 6, 2018
Dear Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for writing this chapter of your life. Such a blessing to read it, as well as an encouragement to me. I too want Jesus’ joy to be let loose in me and all around me! #MakeMuchofJesus
Elizabeth
January 7, 2018
It was important to me to write this for my own accountability. The more often I recognize what God has done, the more likely I’ll be willing to follow Him when He calls me outside of myself. 😊
Candace Henne
January 8, 2018
Thank you for keeping an open door for me (and many others) through my college years ♡ I love your family and cherish the memories
Elizabeth
January 8, 2018
Aww Candace! You have been a delight to our family in the way you inspire happiness, and the kindness you’ve always shown us and our kiddos. So glad to remain connected with you and to see you now with your own awesome kiddos. 🙂
Dawn
January 10, 2018
I love how God works! He rarely does things the way I expect they’ll look. Your story is a beautiful example of obedience and faith.
Elizabeth
January 10, 2018
Thanks for coming by – so glad you were encouraged. 🙂 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen! (Eph. 3:20-21)
Alice Mills
January 10, 2018
We have taken young men and women into our home. God has led each time an we have been so blessed by it!
Elizabeth
January 10, 2018
It has the potential to really shape each one of us, doesn’t it? Our children were formed for community and for having arms outstretched because it was simply a way of life for us when they were small. I see them emerging to be very hospitable young adults now and I’m so grateful!
Stephan Smith
January 10, 2018
This is such a cool story. I love hearing the unconventional ways God has used your open heart and generosity. Thank you for inspiring and encouraging Gospel love!!
Elizabeth
January 10, 2018
Thanks so much, Stephan! God uses our stories to inspire faith, doesn’t He? I love that too!
Naomi
January 11, 2018
What a beautiful reminder that His ways are higher – and often look oh-so-different than our own! When we remember that the author of our very lives is the creator of the universe, it is both humbling and reassuring. Thank you for sharing honestly about your struggle to see Him at work – and the eventual realization that He had orchestrated each and every step. I can personally relate, as our adoption processes were precisely that way!
Elizabeth
January 11, 2018
Isn’t it comforting to know that He ALWAYS knows the end from the beginning, and has our backs? I see you blog about adoption – I’m looking forward to reading! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂