How Do You Do It?
As a foster mom, how many times have I heard this? I honestly want to scream: “I don’t do it – God does! He does it all!”
How do you hold a soft, fat, perfect little newborn in your arms for months and then let CPS take him away after you’ve held him while he cried, changed his diaper, bathed him, loved him with everything you have and watched him smile for the first time. How?
I’ll tell you how: You fall on your knees more than you ever imagined possible and you cry out to God. You rely on him more than you ever have and finally you “get it.” You get what it means to serve him.
If we don’t care for these little ones, who will? Who will be inconvenienced and who will be willing? Who will nurture and love and rock and take care of them? Who will be there during crucial brain development time or the rocky teenage years when there is no one else? Who is willing?
God calls the weary, the unequipped and the lowly. He calls those who don’t have time, energy or the heart for the journey. He whispers and whispers and whispers until you can’t think straight any longer. He sends writing in the sky until you finally have to answer him.
You have to let him shape and prepare you, and you have to step off the cliff of faith and let him carry you. At that very moment there is a feeling I will never be able to describe. You know you can’t do it, but you are. You can almost feel his arms holding you up. It is incredible to be carried like that by a gracious heavenly father.
You are still tired and weary and ordinary, but he equips you in ways you can’t begin to imagine. There, the journey begins that transforms your life and the life of your family forever.
Life has changed. It is not easy! It is not full of freedoms, fun lunches with friends, or even a 20th wedding anniversary trip this year. But it is full of joy that I cannot begin to describe. I wouldn’t trade this calling for anything. If not you, then who?
Kara Curfman was adopted through Buckner. She and her husband, Locke, have been foster and adoptive parents with Buckner in Longview since July of 2009. They have three biological children, one adopted foster baby and one adoption to be finalized. Their mission is to recruit more foster families willing to step out on faith.
Prayers of the Week:
-God, help us to remember to rely on you for our strength at all times, both when we are overwhelmed by the tasks we have been given and when we feel capable and in control.
-God, give us the courage to step out in faith and walk according to your plans for our lives.
——————————- If you are interested in submitting a devotional for Buckner Faith Focus, please e-mail lhollon@buckner.org.
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