Be Brave in Foster Care

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in the waiting room of the dentist office with three little ones. All was going well until the dental hygienist walked us down the hallway and asked one of them to sit in the chair. Screaming ensued from the two little girls as if they were going to die. Then my youngest son stepped up and proudly sat in the chair with such bravery. The two girls continued their rampage with verbal protests interjected within their screams: "I don't want to," "I want to go," "I can't do it," "I'm not brave." I sat their holding them all the while feeling like they were mirroring the same thoughts and comments I had over the past 6 weeks.

Six weeks prior to this, we made a difficult decision to foster three siblings. We went from a family of six to nine over night (family pictured above with our three additions hidden due to foster care rules. There wasn't time for screaming and crying and refusing to just be brave. It had to be yes and it had to be yes fast...not because we wanted to, but because the Lord had called us to do it. He had called us to say yes. And really, saying yes is the easy part...its the action behind the yes to foster care that leads to discomfort, challenges, frustration, anger, tears, heartache...but that yes also leads to growth, change, acceptance and deep love. I'm not sure why the Lord is gathering us on this journey but He knows why. Maybe its so we can all be challenged and grow or maybe its just "go first" so we can help the next person coming behind us? 

Did you know, Noah was 500 years old when God told him to build the ark? There was no water around to support such a structure but he did it anyway. He said yes. Did you know he didn't set sail on that ark until he was 600 years old? That's 100 years of full on faith doing the Lord's work even when it didn't make sense. I'm sure this experience created discomfort and growth on a continuum we'll never fully comprehend. No one really prays that the Lord would challenge them or make them uncomfortable but that's really when true growth happens. I'm sure Noah was challenged as people looked at his work as a waste of time. AND when we stay in His will, we should naturally be challenged and be brought to our knees as we do His work. 

His work for us is to love on these children while they are in our home. In foster care, we can often be distracted by battles that are not meant for us to fight. Our focus is often pulled to the rules, requirements, sleepless nights, court decisions or worrying about birthparents. When we remove our focus from simply loving and caring for the children in our care; it becomes difficult to choose joy in the journey. Can you imagine the outcome if Noah became distracted by the on-lookers? I've certainly tried to fight useless battles during this time but it inevitably turns my eyes from the task the Lord has given me. If Noah had taken on the wrong battle, it would have led to emotions he had no time to carry. 

We might not know why the Lord has each of us on this journey and we may feel like walking away or screaming that we're not brave enough. Maybe, like my son at the dentist, you show your bravery to others and they'll realize they can do it too...I'm happy to write that the two little ones did get in that dentist chair after seeing the bravery of my son. As you walk the path the Lord has chosen for you, may you know faith like Noah. May you know the Lord holds the impossible in His hands so you don't have to. May you just say yes and allow Him to do the rest. AND really when we clear out the junk in our space...in our days...in our lives; we really can create a home for more than we ever thought possible. Its amazing how the Lord can change your path in an instant and when you fully trust in him, you make leaps that seemed impossible. You say you can't but then realize you already are. 

Credit: Mother's of Preschooler's Theme in 2017 was "Go First"

NEXT POST: Tips for managing a household of 7 kiddos ALONG with foster care requirements

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