I really don't know where this post will go, I'm a little emotional right now, thinking about all I need and want to express...I really don't know if I can adequately put it all into words.
I am... heartbroken...for what breaks the heart of God. My home is full...or is it? At least in my mind it seems...yet there are children every.single.day in this community that need us. I have 6. Yet, more need homes. Foster children and new born babies in all of our cities, and babies and children in orphanages all over the world who get almost no stimulation daily, they need homes. Loving, christian homes. I am only one. I want them all, but as one, I cannot take them all.
I am... frustrated. Frustrated that the majority of people won't choose to see the need, and respond. Tonight a call came. An 8 yr. old girl living in a horrific situation needed somewhere to go. She was just removed, and scared, and yet, maybe, somewhat hopeful, and thankful that she was no longer there to be abused...yet I didn't have the space. Another friend got a call for two baby boys, and another sibling group of four needed a home tonight. All of these children need us. US. All of us. We are the hands, feet and heart of Jesus. What would He do? Would he pretend that this wasn't happening all around us in our own neighborhoods and communities? No, he would embrace them. We as christians need to lay our lives down for those that need us...especially innocent children. It's not about us and our comfort and our perfect little families anymore. It's about laying down our lives, sacrificially, and saying yes, yes, I will...for you Lord...because of all you've done for me and because it pleases you...and because you've asked me to.
I am...responsible. Responsible to care, and to advocate for those children here in our own towns, and those around the world that need us.
I am... confused. Why is it not that important to so many christians? Why do they look at us and say, "Wow, it takes a special person"? It really doesn't. It just takes an open heart and a willingness to lay down your life for another. Where is the church?
There is a couple at our church that have started serving the homeless every sunday afternoon. I am so proud of them. They are meeting physical needs, providing clothing, blankets and food...and they are not leaving out the gospel, as they share the words of God's love for them. This is wonderful. People are stepping up, giving to the cause, helping out. We also jumped in on this as the Bible tells us to care for them. He also says to care for orphans, which is what the american foster child is. They are, essentially, homeless children. For some reason or another, they have either been abandoned by their parents, or soon will be, or their parents can no longer care for them. Where is the emphasis on the importance of this? I don't see it, yet I see people jumping in to help the homeless adults without blinking an eye. Are children not just as important? Why isn't the church seeing this need...and encouraging each other in the need for christian families to step up and care for these precious children?
I am...blessed. I cannot emphasize enough the blessings we have been so graciously given as we have cared for these children. We have been blessed with the gift of adoption, internationally, and here at home through the foster care system. We have new daughters and sons because we took the risk to care for the children around us that needed homes and families. I never would have believed the blessings could have been this BIG. I am in awe of how the Lord always gives us immeasurably more than we ever could have hoped or asked for. For that I am...forever grateful. Thank you, Jesus.
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9 hours ago
9 comments:
michelle...i emailed you a few weeks back about your blog and journey. i am happy to report we have finished 3/8 classes to become certified. we are in to make a difference and teach our kids service to others. thanks for your encouragement. might be time to break the news on my own blog. you think??
an inner voice will have to speak to someone before they can help. i feel your frustration because we have so much to give, i extend my assistance to my home country because they don't have any help or support. i felt this voice for so long and i knew my calling was to help others. for them, it will take some time. take care
Michelle, my husband and I are about to begin the training to become foster parents in Arkansas. I searched for a blog about Christian foster parenting and found yours (there aren't many!), so now I follow you and find your posts very encouraging. Thank you for the positive thoughts about it, when I struggle with so many fears about starting this new journey. Just know that your blog helps encourage others out there to be obedient to the call. Thanks for sharing :)
http://gutshall-tell-all.blogspot.com/2012/01/call.html
Thank you for this post! We attended our first meeting about foster care last and it scared us to death! I needed this bit of encouragement t oday :)
I get you Michelle. Our flesh is fed well in this country and strong and loud! It's not easy to kill the roaring voice that speaks of comforts and pleasures for ourselves at the expense of others. What we have isn't ours as believers. It all belongs to our master and we will give an accounting someday and that scares me. By the way I'm sorting baby clothes for my newborn I'm getting Friday and sad for the other two I had to turn away. Big sigh
Michelle, I read this right after reading a story about another couple's adoption. The adoption, in my opinion, was completely selfish and irresponsible on both sides. And they want me to be happy for them. My heart is still beating fast from it. Then I came to your blog and read about your heart for true orphans. Michelle, I love that. I wish that I could do more. I pray that someday God will bring me to the point that I can. After four and a half years, I still struggle with so much. I know that Christ will do the impossible in me. It's just seems to be taking longer than I'd like it to. :)
Tereasa,
I struggle every day, so I do relate. You are doing a wonderful work with your kids, and the special needs that these kiddos come with have made me realize so much more how much we all need to rely on Jesus. It is hard. God works on me daily, and at times I feel like it is impossible..then I realize that through Him, he has made this thing that seemed impossible, possible. Are you blogging anymore? Get in touch if you can!! Bless you!!
Michelle- Your post echoes what my hsuband and I are also trying to do with our time and energy- serving by "caring for the least of these". We have done foster care for 11 years and have had many kids become part of our family for over a year at a time. It's fulfilling and exhausting at the same time- and letting the kids go back is always a hard test of our faith. My hope is that these children remember the warm feelings of family, and they will know another way of life from having stayed with us.
I'm very encouraged as I observe my children making comments that they intend to adopt and/or foster when they are adults, and they seem to "see" the need of other children because they have been exposed to these situations. They have developed an awareness and a caring for kids and this makes me very proud of how our family's heart has grown for orphans and children in foster care.
These are powerful words. I do feel that there is a change coming I see more and more people opening there hearts to the foster care systems. I can't tell you how many people I run in to now who are foster parents. We will continue to pray that God provides homes to more children in foster care.
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