Though I can't tell you her name...or her story...or share any pictures of her with you...she's very real in our life. She's our Foster Daughter and today is her birthday.
When celebrating the birthdays of my biological children I reminisce all throughout the day what was going on the day they were born. We share that story with them and talk about how wonderful it was when we first laid eyes on them. What a gift!
Though I don't know the story of her birth and I only know bits and pieces of her life...she is equally as much of a gift! Though it's not her birth story, I do remember getting the phone call asking us to become her foster parents. I remember hanging up the phone and talking about it with our family and sensing God's leading to say 'yes', calling back to say 'yes' (even though we had originally planned to take younger children), finding out that they didn't need a placement for her, the confusion on God's prompting to say 'yes', then the following week getting called again asking if we'd still consider taking her in and finding out she would be coming the following week. What a roller-coaster of emotions!
Though so different in many ways, the anticipation of meeting you for the first time was similar to that of anticipating a birth. I clearly remember seeing you for the first time...loving you instantly...my heart melted...and broke...realizing that a beautiful little girl was hurting inside...
My sweet FD, I have seen so much growth in you just over the last 27 days that you've been in our life. Your trust for us has grown exponentially. You have called us 'mom' and 'dad' since day 2, you do that because you have a huge desire to feel safe and secure...and to belong. I get that and I truly desire that for you too. I can't make promises and I won't make promises about your future, my only promises lie in the Truth of who Jesus is and who He wants to be in your life. I see your desire to know Truth because without having words to say it, I think your heart realizes that Jesus Christ is the only thing in your life that can and will be constant. Hearing you ask if you could pray at supper and the sweetness of your prayer melted my heart and I KNOW it melted God's heart. You love our reading times at night along with praying and singing before bed...you ask each night just to be sure it's going to happen again. You have lots of questions and a desire to learn more, I pray that you continue wanting to know more about Him.
Today, we celebrate your life!! We celebrate that God has placed your in our home for this season and I pray that you feel loved and cared for...that we can truly be the hands and feet of Jesus to you. We love you!!
4 comments:
Michelle!!!! I'm bawling!!!! You guys are amazing. Thanks for sharing and inspiring others to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Her life will never be the same because of you guys!
I know the feeling! My husband and I worked at a children's home for 10 years. Having foster children is an amazing gift you give yourself and the child. I also worked for 2 years in an emergency shelter.
Kids need love. They have taught me so much about love. Praise the Lord for people like you.
We were foster parents for a long time and adopted our two youngest children that way. I loved your story and I can remember those feelings! Our daughter came to live with us 2 days old from the hospital. Our youngest son was 2 months old. Both were drug affected and we worked through all the detox with them. ~ I loved being foster parents. I wouldn't trade that experience for any in the world!
We were foster parents for a long time and adopted our two youngest children that way. I loved your story and I can remember those feelings! Our daughter came to live with us 2 days old from the hospital. Our youngest son was 2 months old. Both were drug affected and we worked through all the detox with them. ~ I loved being foster parents. I wouldn't trade that experience for any in the world!
Post a Comment