Feelings...nothing more than feelings

Those are the lyrics to an old song, but it came to mind today as I was thinking about how often in this world we rely on our 'feelings'.  

When we meet a potential spouse we rely on how we 'feel' initially to let us know whether to continue getting to know them or not.  Now I don't want to totally discount 'feelings', but we rely on them FAR too often.  Marriages have ended because the initial 'feeling' has gone away and people want to live on that emotional high.   

We also rely on feelings when it comes to parenting, we want to become a parent and imagine all that it will entail....then we have kids and realize all that we dreamt about parenting is in reality, a very small part and decide it's too much work to teach and train...hopefully somebody else will do it.  It is consistent work, constant love, and dedicated caring.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a mom, but not because I always 'feel' like it.

Why in the world was I thinking about all of this today??  Well, some days being a Foster Parent is easier than others.  Sometimes I don't 'feel' like doing this anymore (I could make that decision and we would be done) yet, I know without a doubt that this is where God has called our family for this season of our life.  

It's not always easy loving a child when you don't understand all the reasons they do what they do, when they are clingy, when they try to manipulate using emotions, etc. (the other kids do the same things at times).  She needs constant love, dedicated caring, and people pointing her to the One that can provide that for her...the same as all of our children.  I pray that our actions reflect that of our Father, I know we fail, (but my prayer is that "...where sin increased, grace abounded all the more Romans 5:20) and that even in our failings, I pray that she (and all of our kids) can see the reflection of Jesus in our life.  I'm honestly thankful for all that we have learned and been able to teach our kids through being a foster family...our FD has been a wonderful blessing, but like each of our kids, some days are better than others.    

Today I have been reminding myself to 'Get Dressed':

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13

I continue to love, care and point ALL my kids to the Lord...not because I always 'feel' like it but because it is what I have been "called" and "set apart" to do in the lives of each of my children as well as others that the Lord brings into my life.  How could I NOT forgive others when the Lord forgives me over and over and over again.

After that long reminder of who God is and what He has done for me...I know He is enough to help me finish the day!