Somehow, we find ourselves having submitted a stack of forms to become certified for fostering. Initially, our plan is foster respite care. That's where we would host a child for 2-7 days while their foster parents get some respite. They don't want foster parents burning out or having their marriages neglected but they cannot just leave the kids with grandma and grandpa the way most families do... that's where we'd come in. We felt like this is a good way to sort of test it out and help at the same time. Wondering, "are our hearts, gifts, and lives made for this?" If so, we would consider being traditional foster parents.
I had lunch with a man whose family has fostered 3 siblings for over two years. It certainly hasn't all been easy. But without hesitation he said they would all totally do it all over again. These three kids have grown and developed in so many ways and literally have a bright and hopeful future where before there wasn't one. The oldest was poised to fail at school... now he makes straight A's and wants to become a doctor one day. Amazing. Meanwhile, his biological family have all matured, become less self centered, and know God more intimately as well. There is such beauty in this!!! Such adventure and meaning!!
To abandon your preconceived notions and let go of the steering wheel of your life and put God in the driver seat IS adventure! It's meaningful, hard, victorious, full, and transformational. So why am I afraid of it!? Why is it so scary to let go and put my life in God's hands? Do I not trust him? Do I not believe him to be good? Do I not believe in his word that says, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you."? Am I so lazy that I wouldn't be up for something difficult? Do I want to come to the end of my life and realize that I never truly lived but only played it safe and never achieved much lasting impact in this world?
I do not know what is on the horizon of my life's journey. But I will take this step today because I believe God has brought me to it... and I will trust him to guide the rest of my journey. I want to live for him. I want him to use me to make a difference in this world and in eternity, for his glory. I want to know him better. I don't want my life wasted on "playing it safe."
Heavenly Father, guide me. Guide us. Grow us. Help us to trust you. Help us to stay connected to you. Help us to prayerfully seek to walk with you. Give us clear confirmation in our spirit with the steps you want us to take! We want to know we are walking with you. Make it clear! We want to know when we step off your path, so please, correct us and bring us back to your path. Open our heart and mind's eye to see you. Help us to avoid the temptation to write the second half of the story by our own imagination or desire, but instead allow you to lead us on all the twists and turns or straightaways that YOU have planned for us. Lead us in the way everlasting. In Jesus name, amen.
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