Guest Foster Parent Blogger: The Child on Your Doorstep

-

Jessica Edhlund, Mama of 2 and foster mama the past two years to nine children (so far) shares her heart today on the blog!

Image result for foster child at the door image



No one understands the need for more foster parents better than foster parents themselves. Many of us are maxed out and doing more than we ever thought we could. Foster care is a community issue, not an individual one.

Community members who have the great fortune of having a stable home environment and an extra bed or two can consider pitching in. Foster parents are not special people with extraordinary talents or the super human ability to not get too attached. They are regular people who decided that vulnerable children in their community deserve a safe place in a family instead of having to move far away or live in a group home.

Yes, sometimes there is discomfort or emotional pain that is endured by foster parents. Better us capable adults than them.

Imagine this: a child with no where to go and a dangerous living situation shows up on your doorstep needing a safe place to be loved and sleep. How many of us would say “no”? I think it’s safe to say most of us would keep that child safe and bring them into our home.

Just because you don’t see these children on your doorstep, don’t forget they are there. The distance is morally irrelevant.
Image result for foster child at the door image

Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for sharing with us.

Popular posts from this blog

Foster Parents Spread Christmas Cheer Year-Round!

-
Image
There is nothing like the wide-eyed wonder and sparkle in a child’s eyes and sweet smile at Christmas. All year long, some foster children come into care having lost their sparkle. I met a little boy last summer, placed in a family we serve, whose personality had disappeared due to neglect and trauma. Like many foster kids I’ve known, he was withdrawn (understandably so) when I tried to chat with him on the floor criss-cross applesauce while we enjoyed some birthday cake, and quite simply he had a flat affect. But this week, months later, I got to enjoy his giggle, shoulders bobbing up and down and nose-wrinkled as his foster father affectionately told a funny story about him that week. He was so delighted to re-laugh over it. I have seen it time and time again, that as foster kids experience the cherishing and unconditional love of a family, good nutrition, safety, regular sleep, structure, and new experiences their light comes back on! Foster parents make g
Read more

Guest Blogger: Foster Mama Reflects on the First Hello and Goodbye

-
Image
In May of 2016, our family made a decision to change our lives forever. We decided to join a system I'd been part of as a baby over 42 years ago. We believed God called us to grow our family one little life at a time through foster care. We were licensed in September, and then by October we were picking up the 2 week old baby boy we'd been praying for. For 18 1/2 months we helped him grow and learn. For 81 weeks, we watched as he explored this awesome world. For 567 days, we taught him what a safe, stable and loving family/home is like. Now, this baby boy lives with his forever family, a family we love, who will give him a lifetime of chances and opportunities. Is foster care difficult? ABSOLUTELY! God never said following Him would be easy. It's hard to see his empty bed and it's quiet without his footsteps. But, it's incredible to see how God protected him from harm, used us to care for him for a season, and then provided him a family that will be th
Read more
-
Image
Our Foster Care Journey: Stepping out to try Respite Care By Mary H, Fostering Faithfully Respite Care provider, now licensing!   Just over two years ago I began to feel the tug on my heart regarding children in foster care. I felt like I heard the need for foster parents advertised everywhere and even spent time crying in our living room floor heartbroken for the children with no one to tuck them in at night. So I started praying. God, what can I do? I need to do something, but I don't know what? Well, the Lord answers prayers and soon after Foothills Community Church played a video talking about foster care in our area advertising an evening class to get more information. I told my husband I had to go and he, not quite sure what to do with my new conviction, went with me. The class and continued prayers only increased our belief that we were supposed to get involved with foster care and it gave us a place to start. A big part of me was ready to jump right in and
Read more