Interviews, fingerprints,
background checks, home inspections,
family interviews; not to mention the
oceans of paperwork. What the heck have we gotten into?
The time had come; we
decided to become a foster family. I never liked the ‘foster parent’ label. It
was never going to be just my husband and me. We knew our children would be
involved in accepting and caring for the little ones who would come to live
with us.
Once the decision was made, the real fun started. What a process!
Now, I’m not saying
it wasn’t necessary. Taking over the care of another human being is an awesome
responsibility. But I had no idea it was this complicated.
Abram would
understand, because he was called too. The Lord spoke to Abram and told him to leave
his camp in Haran, and go out to a land that God would show him. So at the age
of seventy-five, Abram picked up and left his home, taking his wife Sarai, his
nephew and all of their possessions.
Out they go, on their way to…well,
who knows where? I can relate. We didn’t know where we were going either.
Abram had a few bumps
on the way to Canaan, just like our mountains of paper and twisting roads to final
approval. We felt like we were walking without a map. For Abram, it was exactly that.
In the end, Abram
found his new home.
In the end, we were
approved as a foster home.
Just as Abram pitched
his tent in the new land, we began to settle into our new family purpose. For
about eight years, we cared for lots of little lives. We cared for babies, most
no older than three months. Some stayed a few days, some a few years, but it
was all fun.
It was a ‘new
territory’ for our family, but God gave us the grace and strength to enjoy and
nurture each child that came to live with us. It wasn’t always easy, but
raising children, no matter where they come from, has its ups and downs. God
called our family to this beautiful service for him, and for his little ones.
Groping our way
through the rules and regulations, we made it to our Canaan. And it was a
beautiful country.
So now, when I am
being called to go out and do new things, I have a reference point. I might not
have any idea how it’s going to work out, but I’ll just remember Abram. I’ll see
him starting out without a clue either.
Abram’s faith was
credited to him as righteousness. So Lord, help me to follow your will, wherever you send me. It might look like a great big mess, but I’ll keep the
faith, waiting to find the land of milk and honey you have planned for me.
Labels: fostercare, God's will, leap of faith