Saturday, July 23, 2011

Foster Care

My heart is so shaky. When Trey and I were first married, I remember having this feeling.  It happened when God radically said Now!  We knew we were called into the ministry, but we were in school and ministering here and there and then He said Now! I remember because we were in church that Sunday morning and I was broken. I went forward because hearing the "Now"! Scared me to death. I knew we were in need of prayer. I wanted to fall on my face and just cry.  Not that I didn't already know it was coming but it was a surrendering of the reigns.  I was not, Trey was not, in control of what was going to happen next. God says I'm in control of this. I've called you, now I'm going to lead you. Not scary in the normal sense of the word.
Kinda like Moses at the burning bush. A crazy Holy encounter with The Living God! All I wanted to do was fall down, weap and worship.

I can look back on my life and see how God has shaped my heart in this direction. Trey can too. Little things here and there that have caused us to desire to do this, shaped us so that we know what to expect -kinda

This is not a job choice for us but a devine appointment. We started this process back in December. Ha! We have talked and prayed about it since we were dating, but in December God gave us a little -now. And so we went through the classes and then we were faced with a Ridiculous amount of stalling. Pretty funny how God works, but having been here before we just took care of what we could take care of and have waited for the Lord to open the next door.  I knew that God was going to lead, stall and direct until the child we are supposed to have in our home is needing us.

I remember being pregnant for the first time with Jaxson. When I saw the ultrasound and saw a glimpse of his face, this child I've prayed about my entire life, the child I daydreamed about and knew that God had designed me to be his mother. I was so broken, proud, blessed beyond measure, to see this child's face (even though it was just his profile) for the first time.  That's how I feel about this child(ren) that will come into our home. God has designed us to be their place of refuge, "Parents", if only for a little while. I do not take it lightly at all.

This past week the Lord started reminding me about fostering.  I told them I would call as soon as we were settled and moved in, but like me I forgot. The agency called the very next day and wanted to do a visit.  They wanted to introduce us to our new case worker.

She came by and we took care of a few more items. Paperwork etc. We still have a few more details to take care of, mostly involving money to purchase different things. But this week, I cannot go into detail about what happened, God said clearly it's time to move forward. No more stalling.   I know He's going to clear the debris from our path.
I just think it's so funny how God does that. When He's called you and He puts barriers up, and removes them and along the way He keeps the passion lit. He does ALL of it to keep you moving at His pace, and not on your own.  Right now it looks like we may begin in mid-September.

Please keep us in your prayers as the Lord leads us into this next phase of ministry.

Isaiah 41:9-13(NIV)
 I took you from the ends of the earth,
   from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
   I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
 “All who rage against you
   will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
   will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies,
   you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
   will be as nothing at all.
For I am the LORD your God
   who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
   I will help you.

2 comments:

  1. I'm so excited for y'all. Just don't do like us... stall, and then when they call with a child, not be ready, rush to get everything finished and miss the opportunity for that child. :(

    Are y'all planning on adopting the foster children too?

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  2. I have no idea whats in store as far as adopting. Not against it. Very Prayerful over it. Thank You!

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