"I Could Never Do What You Do..."

Well, actually...I think you COULD. And I KNOW you could, if you did it with God's help...because that is the ONLY way we do it.I am referring to foster care. And specifically to one of the reasons people say they could never do it: The pain of letting the kids go.
Here is my friend, Laura Mitchell. I met her on a trip to Ethiopia. My snapshot image of her every time she crosses my mind is a giant smile on a small frame carrying a HUGE backpack. Her heart is bigger than her physical body - for sure!
Single and totally in love with the Lord, she has followed Him down a seemingly scary path to love vulnerable children...in a direction that makes the adult quite vulnerable, as well. Foster care and foster to adopt.
Laura has already taken in and let go of a few children. She has made the loving, emotional, and encouraging investment in the bio families. She has even been blessed to adopt one very special boy, too. The JOY outweighs the pain and this most recent "letting go" is a story I think all foster parents - and POTENTIAL foster parents - need to hear. Our time with these children is never a waste. Our time is precious and God is faithful to use it - even when policies and procedures and decisions baffle us. God is indeed in control and He will work through us. We just need to make ourselves available and willing to suffer and be comforted...for the sake of the children and the glory of Christ. We are blessed and we GROW.
The following Facebook entry was posted on the day before two precious little girls were to be moved to another foster family on their journey to reunification. One a baby, another a grade school girl. I am inspired by the extended family and dedicated friends who continue to rally around this amazing young woman who is single-parenting by the grace of God.
From Laura:
"I don't know that I even have words to even describe today. Big Sis has been asking questions for a few weeks about what it means to become a Child of God. Tonight she prayed and admitted that she is a sinner in need of a Savior. She said she knew Jesus died on the cross for her and she wants to live her life for Him!! My sweet girl, who is leaving my home at 8:00am tomorrow is now my sister in Christ!!! She wanted to be baptized and I told her she would need to talk to her new foster family about it, and ask them to take her to church. As she called friends and family to tell them about her decision a friend suggested a bathtub baptism and then Uncle Jonny called back and asked if she really wanted to be baptized tonight. She sure did!! So, we had the sweetest time of worship right in my bathroom simply rejoicing with this sweet girl!! Our God is GOOD! The reason this girl walked into my door was made known tonight, and tomorrow when she walks out she is a new creation, adopted into the family of God, and on fire to share His great love with those she meets in a new city. I know I say it often, but seriously, God writes the BEST stories!!!"
Let Him use you! You life is WORTH that...
Beautiful new life....even in the bathtub!

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