Foster Parents.
Taking on the task…of caring for the weak, the young…the outcast.
Eight years now. Babies mostly. Preemies. Babies exposed to crack and meth amphetamines.
A heartbreaking journey…at times.
But also beautiful…..A place where God’s grace most definitely resides.
His voice clear, along our journey. It’s Him who picks each child that enters our family.
We pray. We trust Him. He is faithful, indeed. For most of these children…I believe our greatest task for them is to simply intercede….
Intercede to the Father for grace and mercy.
To pray.
And walk and calm and sooth. And cradle. Being the temporary arms of God.
We are weak. Flesh and blood. Nothing great could come of us…alone. It is all because He has called us to this, to care for the lost. The broken.
Three pounds, some. Hospitals lined with babies. No one to take care of them.
Addicted. Tear stricken. Hope’s cry from abusive parents.
The nurse in NICU…“The exposed that have foster parents are the lucky ones.”
The others? Lie there, day after day, untouched. Then, return to the family who fed them…
The drugs. The alcohol. The torment to tiny bodies. The crying. Sometimes uncontrollable. Others lay there like vegetables. Tiny hands. Respirators. Heart palpitations.
These Hope Pleaders.
We are not saints. Just hands and feet of our Creator. Our maker. Hopeless, helpless people. Needing a Savior.
The crying stops. Years of holding. Rocking. Therapy. Teaching. Soothing.
They move on.
Some back to families. Some adopted.
Now the hard part. Open handed letting go. Our season with them is done.
Then, we pray. We pray. And ask God, “When and if it is time for another one?”
…..We get the call.
20 Comments
My hat is off to you.
We have been doing foster care for four years. We’ve had about eighteen children come through our home. We had one premature baby and it was harder that we could handle.
The big issue for us was waking up every sixty to ninety minutes through the night. After five days we made the hard decision to ask the social works to find another home. Luckily there was a woman in the area who specialized in premature babies.
Thanks for your comment. I fully believe God has called each one of us individually; & where He calls us, He equips us. Eighteen children is incredible! Bless you for touching each one of those little one’s lives! They are blessed to have had you, no matter for how long, or to what capacity you serve them! Keep up the great work! 🙂
This is so beautifully written! Do you mind if I link to it from my blog?
Take care!
Thanks, Michelle. Absolutely, feel free to link to this post. Just got done reading your blog & it’s neat because we have so much in common – Both foster parents, both homeschool, & both live on a farm. 🙂 Just became a fan & your newest follower! 🙂
Thank you for stopping in and following. You have a new follower in me~ You have no idea how much I needed this post today. We are praying over our Foster papers right now. Many do not even know this. I have so many questions and fears. But, our hearts have been called for years now. Please pray for us as we start this path. Blessings to you, Catherine.
Catherine – So exciting to hear God is calling you to be foster parents!! It seems to be a season, in the church, & in the hearts of His people, where He is calling many to care for the “orphans” like never before! Please, don’t fear! It is an amazing journey! One that will grow you in faith, enrich you in character, & expand your hearts with His love. One that requires a daily dependence on His Word & ways. And one where His grace will show up like never before! My prayers are with you…May He guide & direct your every step. May each child that comes into your home be hand selected by Him, & may your lives be a living testimony of His love to those around you! Feel free to e-mail me if you have specific questions! God bless you & rejoicing in His call for you this morning!!
Jen
Thanks for the follow. Beautiful post and blog!
I am following now 🙂
http://www.storinguptreasures.com
Thanks! Blessings to you and your family!
HI JEN! As you probably saw I have much experience with these sweet ones as we have 6…all abused by drugs.. SO WISH we could take more but the state says we are “FULL UP”. Shame the large family with experience, wisdom, finances and love are not utilized! HUGS!
Jen – Just got done watching your “Adoption Story Video”. What a neat testimony to what love can do! Not sure about Kansas, but where we live, there are so many kids, the state can/does over-ride the law in terms of # adoptions allowed. I fully agree, if families have the space & financial ability, who is to limit the number of children placed in a home? There are just to many kids out there waiting…. 🙁
Hi there.. moving message. you and i share one thing in common. visit my blog http://www.flagphil.blogspot.com. I am your new follower.
Those are wonderful words. I work part time with special needs kids and my heart breaks over and over. Sometimes I feel like I should be doing more.
Then I remember, I also mother 3 of my own and trusting God isn’t about just in comfortable situations, but in ALL situations.
May God bless you for taking care of those precious babies. 🙂
Ohhh, this is beautiful!!!
Thank you for visiting our blog! It is nice to meet you.
Thanks Shonni for stopping by & taking the time to read! My God continue to move (like he has in your lives) on the hearts of His people to bring even more little one’s into homes of safety, shelter, & love…where they can be raised up embracing the saving knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Savior!
Suzanne –
Working with special needs kids is a huge calling in and of itself. Very few God has graced & are willing to step out in your area of ministry. I believe, He calls us differently. He also equips us differently.
You are so wise to make your family of such high value & importance. If we serve in great capacity to the world, but do not maintain the health, strength, & faith of our families….our testimony to those around us fails.
Have a blessed day, keep up the great work, & thanks for your post!
F.L.A.G. – Thanks for the follow.
Beautiful and very real. Thanks for sharing this. Thanks more for loving the least of these.
Thanks for your comment Lisa. My hearts greatest love, caring for these little ones. For as I hold each child, lost, or broken…it seems, as if, I am holding the heart of God.
We adopted a drug baby 6 years ago… She is the light of my life and I wouldn’t change a thing. And as unhealthy as she seemed at birth she is thriving with just some learning disabilities.
Our family of Four,
That is so exciting! Congratulations on your adoption! Ours is hearing impaired & had some other delays. But, by the grace of God, she is now right on target! How good God is! Like you, I wouldn’t change a thing! ~ Jen