A child walked into my home today. Outside of one simple suitcase, she carried everything she owned in trash bags or old boxes. And that really hit me. And it really hurt me. She moves from home to home, place to place with everything she owns in tow. She doesn’t know how long she will stay, sometimes she probably even wonders if she should bother to unpack. No real place is hers. Everything is temporary. And I know she has to long for permanent. Long for a place. A family. People who can’t ask that she be moved to a new foster home, people who love her regardless and are totally committed to her success. Don’t you think at the end of the day she feels really alone?
Sometimes when DHR calls us about a child, I selfishly wonder how I will fit this child into my life? Do they fit in my schedule? And I write that now with tears in my eyes. Ashamed. Ashamed that I take someones life so lightly. And I put myself and what I want up on such a pedestal. And almost always I can find a place in my “busy life” to agree to take the child, but the fact that it is even a thought is embarrassing.
I wasn’t any easy fit for Jesus. He couldn’t just fit me in His schedule, He had to die for me to be His. And He did that willingly. Willingly. I know that I should do more good works “willingly”. With less thought of myself and more thought of others. I ask God almost everyday.. less of me and more of THEE. Now to just actually live that out.
I know that I cannot take every homeless child. I know that there will be times that a child would not thrive in our home due to other children or circumstances. And I know that I will come across children who don’t want my help or love, and won’t choose to stay in our home. But I also know there are a lot of children who I could share my blessings with. There are a lot of children who need our structure and positive expectations. There are a lot of opportunities for less of self, more of THEE.
Have I asked you lately to consider fostering or adopting? It isn’t easy. It’s hard. Sometimes its really discouraging. You will leave meetings with DHR and children’s families.. hurting. It will cost you money and time. You won’t have the world’s view of a “perfect family”. You may be different colors sometimes, you may have children of all ages. And some days you will wonder what in the world you have gotten yourself into!
But most days you will go to bed totally at peace. You will attend your 5th graders “Open Mic Night” to hear her read an essay in front of dozens of people about how the happiest time in her life has been in your home. You will cheer as you see all the hard work and love you have put into someone who was once a stranger walk across the stage and graduate. You might have the beautiful priviledge of taking home a precious baby from the hospital and ensuring that he or she is totally loved in their first days. You are not only meeting a need, but providing a ministry. A ministry to those we are specifically called to care for. James 1:27
And maybe you can’t foster or adopt. Some people have the heart for it, but their spouse is hesitant. There is always something you can do! If you know me personally, I would love to give you ideas. If you don’t, call your local DHR and ask how you can help. Let’s all take the children who need us into our hearts, and help make their lives as positive as we can.
Be the change.
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