Why we do Foster Care...

We began the process of becoming foster parents in the spring of 2010. We went through extensive training,background checks, an intensive process, and we were finally licensed in the fall of 2010. We have since had 2 babies come and go and are currently taking care of our 3rd baby. The most popular question that comes our way is "How do you not get attached?" or a statement that coveys a similar message which is "I could never do that because I would get too attached." Well, we do get attached. We love these babies like they are ours. God calls us in Matthew 25:40 to love the "least of these" and so in our desire to be Gospel Centered and Outward Focused this is what it looks like for us. We choose to put our comfort, our feelings, ourselves aside to care for and love babies who for a period of time cannot be cared for by their families.
God also calls us to the ministry of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21(ESV)
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation..."
Our desire is for these babies to be reconciled to their families if that is possible.
Think about this...for those of you who are parents...God gave you children to raise. God chose to let you raise them. You are not perfect, but He put them in your care. We know the families they are going to are not perfect either, but God is in control and he loves these little ones more than we do. So how can I not trust him? He places challenges in all our lives and all we can do is PRAY that through the challenges He puts into these children's lives that it will bring them to salvation and into a relationship with Christ.
When they leave our home we are sad, and we miss them; but at the same time, we put our trust in the one who made them and loves them more. Our desire to "keep" them is a selfish desire that says we know what's best for them and may not necessarily be the plan God has for them. Don't get me wrong...I am not saying that foster parent shouldn't want to adopt their foster children. When it is not an option for them to go home or to a family member, it is right and good to pursue adoption and to be that child's forever family. What I am saying is that our first goal should be reconciliation and to pray for healing in that child's family so they can return home to a safe and loving environment. But ultimately we as foster parents aren't in control of if (or when) a child goes home. The court decides and while it is a truly broken and imperfect system, God is the one who is ultimately responsible for the welfare of a child (yours, mine, and those in the foster care system)

With all that said a song that really speak to how I feel about being a foster parent and why we do it is a song by Mercy Me called "Won't you be my love". Take a listen...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKG3Pwr04A0&feature=artist

Chorus
Won't you be my voice calling
Won't you be hands healing
Won't you be my feet walking
Into a broken world

Won't you be my chain breaker
Won't you be my peace maker
Won't you be my hope and joy
Won't you be my LOVE