Foster Parents

Having a child placed in your care is no easy task. Not only do we have to deal with the emotions of caring for a child we have never met, but we also have to think of the future of this child. What will happen to this child? Will he be reunited with his parents? Will CPS find someone else for him to live with? Will we have the privilege of adopting him? We can't plan our lives with this child. We never know how the situation will turn out or what the next day will bring. But we do it because we feel God calling us to do so.

I read an amazing devotional today...

Our family was placed with a newborn baby boy this weekend. He is beautiful and sweet and wonderful. And he is a lot of work!

As I held this baby boy all night long (he would only sleep while being held), I was stricken with fear. What did I do? Why did I say 'yes' to this call? Will I ever get any sleep? Why did I think I could handle this? I went outside in the middle of the night and walked up and down the street, talking to myself, talking to the baby, talking to God. And God told me not to be afraid, that He had called me to take care of this baby and He would help me do it.

I got through that night and had an unexplainable amount of energy. The next day I read this devotion:

"Life seems to be filled with perils - real or only anticipated. We often fear what we don't know or even what we think might happen. As you lay in the cold grip of fear, remember that spirit of fear did not come from God. We have a powerful enemy who whispers into our thoughts and fuels emotions of dread, worry, helplessness and fear. God has given you a spirit of 'power, love and good judgment' (2 Timothy) That means you can handle any situation with His help. Be confident in His promise and cover yourself in a blanket of God's love. Rest in God's ability to conquer the spirit of fear."

I know as foster parents, you all have moments of fear. Whether you are dealing with difficult behaviors that you fear you can't handle, an overwhelming schedule of appointments you fear you'll never get done, or working within a flawed system that can feel way too big to deal with, remember: "God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love and good judgment" 2 Timothy 1:7

So, go now and do the job God has equipped you to do. Be fearless and know God will help you to handle any situation!

A foster mom/agency worker wrote this. She achieved her goal of touching foster parents' hearts because I feel encouraged & ready to take on the world.

People don't realize that I get the SAME things every single day, no matter where I go.
"Wow! Such a little baby! You look great for just having him." --now usually I would take this as a compliment, but then they start asking questions on how I lost the weight, how much I gained, etc. Once I explain that he's my foster child, the questions start..."Oh, do you know how long you get to keep him? Isn't it so hard knowing that you might have to give him back? I just don't know you do it, I would want to keep all of them." I have to answer these questions all day long, and it is getting really frustrating. Of course it's hard giving the child 'back'...duh! And NO, no one ever knows how long the child will stay. I try to smile while answering these but I want to yell..."it's none of your business!" But that pry wouldn't be very nice :)

So needless to say, it was a perfect time for me to receive this devotional, I needed to read those words so badly. For the rest of the day I am going to focus on the last line...So, go now and do the job God has equipped you to do. Be fearless and know God will help you to handle any situation! We are doing this because it's what God has placed on our hearts. I am not going to let the endless questions get to me anymore. I am going to focus on him & Him :)