Fostering

I rarely blog about fostering because we think of SS as just another member of our family. However, there are times, like today that the uglier side of fostering makes going through the day difficult. Technically, our family is certified to bring in another child, so we occasionally get calls to take in other children for short or long-term placements. As Christians, our immediate desire is to help; but each placement must be carefully weighed against the responsibility that we have to take care of our family. Due to the size of our existing family, most of the time we have to say no. Last night, we received a call about a young child who has been suffering tremendous horrors that one hates to think that anyone must endure. The story weighs heavily in our hearts, and is somehow made even heavier by the realization that though we could help this child, it would bring serious upheaval and some potentially negative impacts into our household. So after many prayers, we have determined that we are not the best family to help this little one. While we are confident in our decision, we are saddened to have turned away one of God's children. Our hearts are broken today, and it is a day when we wish we were not so aware of the ugly side of the lives of so many children. We are praying that God will provide the right home and right support for this precious child; and we also continually pray that even more Christian families will consider opening their homes to these children in need.