An Encouraging Day

I am thankful. Thankful that God has been so gracious to meet me where I'm at. In my brokenness and mess, He has met me and whispered words of hope at just the right time. Today I was driving to pick up Caitlyn from school, and who did I see walking along side the road? Baby's parents. They recognized my car and flagged me down. I pulled over, and they came running up to my window and asked how I was doing. They had obviously heard that all 3 of their children had been moved to a new foster home together, and their words spoke straight to my heart. They stood there at my car window, cried with me, and thanked me repeatedly for caring for their son. Baby's Dad said that he and Baby's Mom wanted to take Micah and I out to dinner just to thank us for "all we did for them."

I was baffled. You see, biological parents are generally not thrilled about foster parents. To them, foster parents are doing the job that they see themselves fit to do. Foster parents are raising THEIR children. The children that they birthed. The children that they love, in the way that they know how to "love." Essentially, foster parents are their competition.

My heart aches for this couple. They are broken, hurting, and surrounded by influences that make it harder for them to succeed. You will never hear me make excuses for people who abuse or neglect their children. HOWEVER, if you look at generational patterns of poverty, lack of stability, and abuse, it is a little easier to understand HOW things like that happen. Again, I am not making excuses for them, but my heart is heavy for them tonight. You know why? I HAVE JESUS---someone who will listen to my heartache, grieve with me, and pull me through. I have friends and family who have been incredibly supportive and who I KNOW are lifting my family up in prayer. THIS COUPLE does not. They do not have a support system. They do not know Jesus. And they have A LOT to overcome in order to "make it."

The irony of this, to me, is that Jesus used this broken, hurting couple to minister to MY heart. To know that this one couple was blessed by our investment in their baby for the last 3 months makes it TOTALLY worth it. They seriously want to take US out to dinner?! Amazing! And that fact that Baby's Mom kept reaching into the car and trying to comfort me when we were ALL crying?! I couldn't believe it!

We have not chosen foster care for accolades, thank-yous, or recognition. (Trust me, it would be A LOT of work for a pat on the back!) I never expected anything from any of these parents. But to know that the love we gave Baby was recognized and appreciated by them somehow brings healing to my heart. Their words were the reassurance I needed that yes, we are doing the right thing. And yes, it is worth it.