There have been so many unexpected things in this journey of foster care. First, is that I am overwhelmed with the love that I feel for this little boy who I didn’t even know a month ago. It has been such a blessing and privilege to love and care for baby “Z” and to watch him begin to grow and change. I’ve seen the different ways that God is using our family to minister to this baby and interact with his family.  I’ve watched my children just welcome this new little one into our home as “one of the family.” This is what God does for us: we have all been grafted into the family of God, adopted sons and daughters; the same love, the same privileges, the same “inheritance.”

At the same time, our eyes have been opened even more to the children in our community who are suffering. And even harder, we have had to say “no” to other children who are in need of placement. We are still adjusting to having baby “Z” in our family and working on getting his health back on the right track. We have been called several times to take other children, all very young. Just today we were called for a 7 month old baby who has suffered horrifically. I know you are reading this and saying “you couldn’t possibly do that” or “you can’t save them all.” I acknowledge the truth in not being able to “do it all” but it doesn’t help your heart when you have to say no to a child who has suffered so much and who cannot find a home that will take them in. My heart cries out for all of those who do not know the love that has been modeled to us in Jesus Christ. My heart cries out for those who have endured horrible abuse. My heart cries out for those social workers and case workers who have had to see such deplorable things and who spend hours trying to find a place of refuge for these little ones.

James 1:27 says: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
The church used to be the ones that cared for these children. We now have social service agencies, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but we have used this as an excuse to shut our eyes to the suffering of those in our community and our world. Open your eyes! It hurts like you wouldn’t believe BUT God has called us to not ignore the plight of those in need. The need IS overwhelming but God can use us all to make a difference in the life of another, a life-changing difference. I ask you to be in prayer for all of those children tonight who are going to sleep in a place that is not healthy; pray for this precious 7 month old; pray for baby “Z” and others like him who are working hard and getting stronger; pray for their biological families; pray for their foster families; pray asking God how you might be able to make a difference…