Surrendered to Hope

We thought for a long time about what to title our blog.  It's actually the element that held us up from starting it sooner.  A few weeks ago, our pastor Matt preached as sermon that struck me and surrendered to hope was born out of that.  It is heart wrenching to hold baby girl and not know her future.  I pray for her like I have never prayed for my own children.  I pray that her path leads to knowing Jesus, that she knows He has a plan for her (Jeremiah 29:11), that her body and soul are protected from future harm, but that if harm comes, true healing and safety come quickly after.  I pray she remembers us in some way and comes back us if she ever needs someone to love her.  Then there are times I just don't know what to pray.  I just hold her and praise God for the gift of time with her and the plans he has for her.

Our peace comes when we surrender to the hope we have in Jesus Christ.  Our strength comes from God's word; Deut. 31: 6 says, "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."  We could easily give into fear and decide not to foster.  We could say, "our hearts would break if we have to give her back and not know her future, so we'd rather protect our hearts and not open our home to kids in need."  We hear that a lot from well meaning people.  Or, we can believe that God wants us to be strong and courageous in the face of evil and suffering.  To not shrink back in fear, but to move forward in love and hope.  I have always clung to Isaiah 41:10, " So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

We could make fostering on so many levels about us.  How we feel, how we would handle things, how we like our comfort and don't do well with the unknowns in life.  But, we have chosen to surrender our hearts to the hope we have in Him for the children he places in our care.  God loves them so much more than we ever could.  He knows what is best for them because He is the only One who sees the beginning and end at the same time.  We do not believe just because we are a white affluent Christian family that we are the best place for any child.  God calls people to himself in every household, in every tribe, and every nation.  We pray baby girl is presented with the truth of the Gospel at a young age and believes.  We know Jesus Christ calls every man to himself, and it is up to them to believe, and that includes our little one.  Please join us in praying she places her faith in Jesus Christ and experiences true healing.