A Picture of Redemption
When we said “yes” to the Lord’s call to open our home to foster again, we never could have imagined the journey of faith, the test of perseverance, and the beauty of reconciliation we would have a front row seat to. We took our first placement after a two year hiatus from fostering with a busy little man who we affectionately referred to as “Wild, Wild Dusty.” What was going to be a three day placement turned into two months of loving Dusty and coming to a complete realization of our daily need for dependence on the Lord’s strength.
Oftentimes caring for vulnerable children can be portrayed as some kind of ministry or calling that is reserved for the spiritually elite. But what we found to be our reality during this go-around of fostering was that we truly wanted to give up multiple times. We picked up the phone to ask our agency if they had another home that could take Dusty. We all cried tears over adjusting to his intense needs. Our home seemed to be thrown into chaos with the constant screams of a nonverbal toddler. He managed to find his way on top of every piece of furniture in our home. And our backs ached and our arms were sore because he seemed to be happiest being held. However, no matter how much we would ask the Lord to release us from this difficult placement, He never did. But what Christ accomplished instead was much more beautiful. A picture of redemption was playing out before our very eyes.
Quickly into our placement with Dusty, we had the privilege of getting to know his wonderful parents. Our interactions with them were markedly different from any other experiences we had previously had with biological parents. There was a radiance in their faces, a kindness in their hearts, a dedication to working their plan, and a true commitment to the best interests of their children. My heart was instantly bonded to Dusty’s Mom as she shared with me how she and Dusty’s Dad had recently placed their faith in Jesus and through His transforming power, their lives were on a different trajectory. They got married, experienced freedom from addiction, immersed themselves in a local church body, and were getting baptized and had plans to dedicate their children to the Lord as soon as reunification took place. Only God could be writing this story!
When the day came to load up all of Dusty’s clothes, toys, sippy cups, and beloved pacifiers one last time, there was a true feeling of joy for all of us. But this wasn’t a happiness that came in the form of relief from a difficult situation, but it was the deepest kind of joy that comes from experientially knowing the grace of Jesus to enable us and “equip us for every good work.” I was so glad the Lord wouldn’t let me give up. He didn’t provide a way out. There wasn’t another family for Dusty. There wasn’t an “easier” placement for us. Instead, we could confidently say, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.” As I placed Dusty into his mama’s arms one last time, I said “Doesn’t knowing Jesus make all the difference?!” And with eyes wide, she smiled and said emphatically, “It REALLY does!” We couldn’t have been happier for their family to have this new beginning and we will be cheering them on as they move forward in this new chapter.
Truly, the Gospel changes everything. It changes addicts. It changes selfish foster parents. It changes our families. We will never be the same.