Today begins a new chapter in our lives. Josh and I have been praying about something for the past several months, and finally decided to step out in faith as we seek to fulfill God's commandments for our lives as believers.
In James 1:27 it says, "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." We unfortunately can't afford the thousands of dollars required to adopt, but we CAN help "orphans" in another way. The Lord brought a lady from our local Alabama Baptist Children's Home into my life, and as Josh and I began to talk about it, we realized that while children are there, they are techinically orphans. They didn't ask to be put in this situation, and don't have a parent or other family member who can look after them at this point. The ABCH requires that their foster families be Christians, and involved in a local church. They want their families to plant the seeds of Christ into these little ones lives. That is exactly what we want to do.
After gathering more information, we realized most all of their needs financially are basically taken care of. They will be on Medicaid, so all of their medical expenses will be taken care of. They are on WIC, so all of their formula, milk, baby food, etc will be taken care of. There is a clothes closet at the ABCH that churches have donated to for these children in need. The ABCH gives an allotment each month to families to care for any other needs they may have, so nothing comes out of pocket from us. All that is required by us is to love, take care of, and nurture these children in need. They only give you a child that is younger than your oldest one. So ours would be Scarlet's age or younger.
Once we found all this out, we couldn't say no. It will be a joy to teach a child who might otherwise have not heard about Jesus, my Savior. If Scarlet can already learn Bible stories & songs, learn to pray, etc, then I can teach another child that, too. How thankful I am that Christ might be able to use me in this way. I am so humbled. I will give Him all the glory and praise, for I am just so thankful that He has brought our family to this position, and given us the ability to do so.
So this afternoon we will begin our first of ten classes to prepare us for foster care through the ABCH. We didn't want to go through the government system, so God answered my prayer on bringing this lady into my life. We will end classes on November 25th, and could receive a child as soon as the next day. She said they are in dire need for foster families, that she has had to turn referrals away. So by Christmas we will more than likely have a baby to add to our family! Savannah wants a little brother! :) We shall see!
I am just so thankful that God has changed my view on having the perfect American dream & family, that we have the biggest & best of everything by a certain age, that we have all our children, that are only OUR children, and certainly not one of another ethniticity, because we have to have the cookie cutter mold of an American family. Unfortunately, that was subconsciously the way I basically thought at one time. Josh and I both want to do things radically now, though, for that is what Christ calls us to do as believers, die to ourselves and fulfill the things He has said we should do as followers of Him...which, let's face it, are not in alignment with what we've created that our lives should be like in America today. That doesn't mean foster care for everyone, but it does say that genuine religion in the sight of God is to care for orphans & widows in some way, and that means everyone that truly follows Christ. Just something to think about. Josh and I have been drastically convicted on if we view God as who He really is, or if we just made Him out to be someone we pray to as we need Him, and read a 5 minute devotion every other day or so. God calls us to be and do so much more. We certainly don't have it all together, but I pray that God continues to teach me, change me, and mold me into what He wants me to be...just as He did with foster care. :) Thanks SO much for your love, support, and prayers...we would appreciate it during this process!
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