Foster Care | Savings, paying off debt, making room, filling out paper work, training, classes, home inspections...so many things to do to prepare, to feel prepared. It's just a feeling.
You just want to be ready. God has it already prepared but we can't see it so we do as much as we feel we can and hope. We spend time preparing, sharing, and praying, those are the 3 things that we do. The beginning process of fostering is like standing at the edge of the ocean shore. All the work behind you and you look out on the ocean with hope. There is an ocean waiting for you to enter. But before you do, you built sand castles. Tedious work, thoughtful, but fragile and beautiful but right on the edge. Then when you are ready...You are dipping your toes in the water. You are looking out over the vast waters. They are beautiful and deep. Jesus is calling you out. He wants you in the boat. It's time... The ocean is SO big and beautiful, the sounds are soothing and the rhythm of the world is at your feet. The sands shift under your weight, it moves around your feet as you step out into the ocean. At first it is warm, it is thrilling, it is magical...then you step a bit further and you see the life beneath the waves that is watching you, that is curious, that keeps its distance. You may or may not be able to see the ocean floor and the waves could be pounding but you know, if you can just get past the crashing waves there is a rolling peace in the deep...you just have to tread. A little further and you find that you begin to feel weightless and less in control, that you can sink your body under the surface, under the service, still touching the bottom and still able to bounce up and breathe. So while the treading seems easy at first and the waves are behind you, the billowing of the oceans lifts and drops you up and down. Out in the deeper waters it can get so deep you can't even imagine how far down it goes. Have you thought about the boat? The danger rises and your faith shakes. You want to turn back but at some point you are too far out. Even your calls for help can't be heard...but they are heard. Because in the deep is where you find Jesus. In the deep is where you want to be. It's where you were called. The day comes... Foster babies or children arrive. What's a mother to do? While out in the deep waters you scoop them up and put them in the boat that's waiting. They're safe in the boat. But their baggage. That stuff they brought with them, the hurt, pain, neglect, drugs, withdrawals, trauma, brokenness...its all baggage. What's a momma to do? Carry it of course. So, you do. The waves rise and fall and you're in the deep waters and you're treading hard. The boat looks safe but someone has to hold the baggage. You can't climb in a boat with baggage. So you tread. You sink awhile and you swim awhile. You see Jesus. He's offering to help. His hand reaches out but "you've got this". Just pray about it. Pray for that strength and endurance. He'll give it to you. That's not what He wants to give. He wants to take. Then, it happens, when nothing else works. You sink. You're sinking and you can't let go. Your arms are wrapped so tight to that baggage that's bringing you down. You're drowning. You see shimmers of hope above you but how can you get there?. How can you find the surface? Then you hear it. That still, small voice say "let go". LET GO! Let go! let go... You relinquish your trying and you open your arms and you float to the surface. No struggle. Just float up. As you surface you see Jesus. He's there like he's always been. Just above the surface. He takes your hand and puts you in the safe place...where you belonged the entire time. Breathe. Oh breath of God. Breathe. When you turn and look at the shore, it is beautiful. You realize you'd been building sandcastles all these years. Staying where it's warm and safe. You have looked out over the ocean and marveled at it's vastness. You continued to enjoy riding the waves and building your sandcastles. Aren't they beautiful? Wait! But where'd they go? Time, rain, waves, storms, wash them all away. What was most important. What was ever lasting? Moving your feet towards the waters can sometimes be the hardest part. Taking that first step is most important. You can enjoy the ocean for as deep as you like but Jesus wanted you in the boat with your eyes on Him always. If you pick up the baggage after He's called you out, you sink. So, because it is new and your don't know what to expect you sit on the shore line. Stop building sandcastles and dreaming, and put your eyes on the deep. For me... As we move forward we are going to continue to witness the devil and his evil spirits come under attack. The last thing he wants is for us to raise up a daughter or son of His, a princess and prince in His kingdom. We will pray daily, call on His name, ask others to pray, and have faith in Him. There is a Bible story about King Asa of Judah, he did what was good and right with the Lord. He removed the foreign alters and smashed anything that was dishonoring to God. He brought peace to Judah and the Lord gave Him rest. When it was time for battle, he called on God for help. "Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty." 2 Chronicles 14:11 God helps the powerless. Powerless is exactly how I know I feel at some point. In the mean time, we have decisions to make regarding our home and family. We have to get ready so that we move forward in peace and when the time comes, when the devil attacks, we can rely on Jesus. ...we will find Him in the deep!
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I'm Aimee, former Early Childhood Educator and Reading Specialist turned author, speaker, blogger, and mom of 5. This website is meant to inspire & equip parents of little ones to promote early literacy & language development at home. You will also find fun crafts, devotionals, and recipes to explore..
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