Encouraged
Over the past six months I have done so much thinking about the need for more foster families. During National Foster Care Awareness month in May I heard number after number - over 20,000 children in foster care in LA county, over 60,000 in California. I have been discouraged by the consistent high numbers of children in the system, waiting for someone to provide a safe, nurturing home. I have wondered what difference we could possibly be making when the number is that high. I have felt burdened to the point of wishing that I could stick my head in the sand and pretend that there was no need at all. Close my eyes, look the other way. Revert to the old plan - small little family, our safe little life.
Oh but what a selfish way to live. Pretending that the problem doesn't exist will not solve it. Looking the other way does not give a child a warm bed. I have lifted my tired heart to God and told him that I was tired of feeling called and hearing of the need. Pretending that there aren't children who need you is vanity. And those crazy high numbers - those aren't grains of sand or ears of corn - those are lives. Each number represents a life, a beautiful and precious life. Each time we say yes to a placement, we are saying yes to a life; it might not seem like it makes a dent in national statistics, but to that life it matters.
And so we have continued saying yes. Because tonight there is a child in the Los Angeles Welcome Center because his social worker couldn't find a home for him today. And tomorrow he will sit in someone's office while phone calls are made, and emails flurry as the overworked social workers try again to find a home for him. We continue to say yes, as do the countless other foster parents out there, because these children are our responsibility. I never planned on being passionate about these children, but these lives matter. When you know the need, how can you say no to it? These kids didn't have the chance to say no to these circumstances These children do not have a voice. And so we are called to be their voice. They are the vulnerable, the innocent, the needy. God doesn't say, "Wait until I specifically call you by name to become a foster parent! And then take care of my sheep". To me, the call to us all is pretty clear.
I will add that I do not think it is everyone's role to become a foster parent. But it is everyone's role to care for these children, their birth families, or their foster families in some way. If you are a teacher, you may be the only stable person in this child's life. Go the extra mile. If you have a foster family in your life- bring them a meal, or diapers, or a listening ear. They need to know they are not in this alone. There are countless other ways you can get involved without becoming foster parents; contact your local foster family agency. The more people in these kids' lives who care about them the better. You can never have too many people loving you.
I never planned on being passionate about this topic. But these words and emotions now flow out because THIS MATTERS. There are not enough homes right now, not enough foster families. But I want to end on encouragement, because that too is how my heart is feeling. In the past week I have spoken to two couples who are moving forward in the foster certification process. One couple who has had the desire, but also reservations, and are trusting that God will be there in the hard times. The other is ready to grow their family, for a season or for forever, and I am excited to see how God will use them and their children. And I have sat in a room full of other foster families, some new in their journey and some seasoned veterans. But each one is fighting this fight. The number of beautiful amazing families who foster - you are doing amazing work and I am so blessed to know you. Continue to tell your stories and use your voices to advocate for these precious children. You are creating a legacy for your family, teaching your children to love without boundaries, to give of themselves. I am encouraged by you.
Oh but what a selfish way to live. Pretending that the problem doesn't exist will not solve it. Looking the other way does not give a child a warm bed. I have lifted my tired heart to God and told him that I was tired of feeling called and hearing of the need. Pretending that there aren't children who need you is vanity. And those crazy high numbers - those aren't grains of sand or ears of corn - those are lives. Each number represents a life, a beautiful and precious life. Each time we say yes to a placement, we are saying yes to a life; it might not seem like it makes a dent in national statistics, but to that life it matters.
And so we have continued saying yes. Because tonight there is a child in the Los Angeles Welcome Center because his social worker couldn't find a home for him today. And tomorrow he will sit in someone's office while phone calls are made, and emails flurry as the overworked social workers try again to find a home for him. We continue to say yes, as do the countless other foster parents out there, because these children are our responsibility. I never planned on being passionate about these children, but these lives matter. When you know the need, how can you say no to it? These kids didn't have the chance to say no to these circumstances These children do not have a voice. And so we are called to be their voice. They are the vulnerable, the innocent, the needy. God doesn't say, "Wait until I specifically call you by name to become a foster parent! And then take care of my sheep". To me, the call to us all is pretty clear.
I will add that I do not think it is everyone's role to become a foster parent. But it is everyone's role to care for these children, their birth families, or their foster families in some way. If you are a teacher, you may be the only stable person in this child's life. Go the extra mile. If you have a foster family in your life- bring them a meal, or diapers, or a listening ear. They need to know they are not in this alone. There are countless other ways you can get involved without becoming foster parents; contact your local foster family agency. The more people in these kids' lives who care about them the better. You can never have too many people loving you.
I never planned on being passionate about this topic. But these words and emotions now flow out because THIS MATTERS. There are not enough homes right now, not enough foster families. But I want to end on encouragement, because that too is how my heart is feeling. In the past week I have spoken to two couples who are moving forward in the foster certification process. One couple who has had the desire, but also reservations, and are trusting that God will be there in the hard times. The other is ready to grow their family, for a season or for forever, and I am excited to see how God will use them and their children. And I have sat in a room full of other foster families, some new in their journey and some seasoned veterans. But each one is fighting this fight. The number of beautiful amazing families who foster - you are doing amazing work and I am so blessed to know you. Continue to tell your stories and use your voices to advocate for these precious children. You are creating a legacy for your family, teaching your children to love without boundaries, to give of themselves. I am encouraged by you.
Amen! It also reminds me to pray for the great need and the families involved…
ReplyDelete