Some of you know our fostering adventure. We "graduated" from foster parenting classes last May and on June 4th, 2014 we got a phone call that changed our life. 11 weeks later we were left heartbroken and madly in love with a child that was taken abruptly away and we were reminded of how little control we have in this world of foster parenting. That August 22nd we were left convinced we could never do this again. But our God is a mighty God and through weeks of healing, prayers being lifted up for us, we were humbly reminded that God didn't call us to foster parenting for us to be blessed, He called us to foster parent so that we could bless others. And so we jumped on the wagon once again and are currently on our 4th little friend.
My perspective on fostering has changed so much since our classes and our first placement. Yes I fall in love with a child and yes my heart aches when that little one looks at me like I'm their mama but my heart is broken for the parents who have lost their child. My heart desires to see those parents turn their lives around and become a family again. How amazing would it be to see them become successful in life as parents and as a person? To turn away from the things that corrupted them in the beginning. Do the selfish thoughts come back to me of wanting this child as my own? Absolutely but then I am quickly reminded to Be Still.
Today is a knotted stomach kind of day as I sit at my kitchen table taking care of my sick son and listening to my little friend sleep in their crib down the hall. Today my friend's case is in court. Today two sides are fighting for two different plans for this little one. I will say, I loathe this part of fostering. The court hearings, the legal drama, the verdicts that we may never know the reasons for. But that wasn't why God called us to this adventure.
How ironic that this popped up in my Facebook feed this morning? (and I say ironic with a giggle because nothing is ironic with God)…
This is my prayer today. I pray for this baby's parents. I pray that people will be brought into their lives to mold them and shape them into the parents that our little friend needs and I pray that in God's perfect timing that this little one could be reunited with their family.
Do me a huge favor today…
Pray for us. Pray for all of the foster parents today. Pray for strength for us, for peace when things don't come out the way we think they should come out. Pray for the little ones in our care that they will prosper and grow and that the short time we have them, they will know how loved they are.
And one last favor…
please don't tell us how crazy we are for doing this or how you could never do it. Because there are many days when we just don't feel like we can do it.
Don't get me wrong, we've been incredibly blessed by so many strong supporters. You will never know how much those unexpected meals that have shown up after a sleepless night, the can of formula that came out of the blue, the clothing & blankets and loaning of baby gear to help us out with expenses….those blessings will never be forgotten and have opened my own eyes to being able to bless other foster families.
We cannot do this crazy adventure without you all.
Love,
Amy
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