Now that we have more than just our 2 little boys, it'd be more appropriate to title this 'The Blessing of our Children'.
We've had our two new additions (through foster parenting) for 5 days now. We now have a 6 year old little girl and a 7 month old little boy. This house sure is a busy one!! My days start at 5am and then I am non-stop until well after 9pm (well, there were 2 nights this week that I was sitting on the couch around 9pm trying to hold and console our 6 year old, and just have flat out fallen asleep right around 9pm). I don't think I've ever been so exhausted from doing a Mom's job all day, but I don't think I've ever felt so blessed to be a mother. I've always felt incredibly blessed to be a mom, but didn't think it could possibly get any better. But getting to care for these two precious children is unbelievably amazing, rewarding, and such a blessing. My heart is so full of joy and happiness that it is just busting at the seams.
We've been foster parents for over 4 years now, and this the second placement we've had. The first one was almost 4 years ago. We have felt over over 6 years now this calling to be foster parents and knew this is what God was telling us to do. We are finally getting to see some of what the Lord has called us to do. THIS is what we have waiting 6 years for.
It's so amazing to see how the trials that you've endured in life end up strengthening you to prepare you for later trials or times of testimony. I feel like I can't count the number of times that I've realized how something incredibly painful in my life was later used to be something so amazing. Trials shape our character. They make us stronger. I also think trials lead us in directions so we can be further used to glorify God. I feel like I've been through a lot in my life. And even into my adulthood I questioned why some things have happened the way they did or why it has to hurt so bad, even why it hurts still now. But had I not been through those things, I couldn't see the beauty in what God has brought my life to now.
Today I took our 6 year old foster daughter to a movie. I let her pick whatever movie she wanted to see, and she picked the movie 'Soul Surfer'. I don't think she really knew what it was even about, but the name caught her attention and that's what she picked. I was pretty stoked about it because I've heard great things about the movie and I really wanted to see it. Well, it was a great movie and it was so perfect that she picked that movie. The movie is about surfer Bethany Hamilton and how she overcame an attack by a shark that left her without an arm. The movie really focused in on this unbelievable challenge and her faith in God to get through it. In the movie, Carrie Underwood's character is talking to a small group from church and was saying that when we are close to a picture, it's difficult to see what the whole picture is. We need an outside perspective to really see the whole picture. After Bethany's accident this same person told Bethany that she couldn't understand why something so terrible could happen, but one day Bethany would be able to have another perspective and see what God has planned for her and why it happened.
After the movie, this opened up some great conversations between a hurting 6 year old and I. I don't think she fully understood everything that happened in the movie, but I'm pretty sure she understood the big important parts. I was so thankful she didn't choose Hoodwinked or whatever other silly cartoons are out right now. The conversations today just may not have been quit the same, or at least I wouldn't have been able to use examples that I knew she could understand.
Anyways, I just can't express how blessed I feel right now to get to be ministering to this sweet little girl and a little bit to her family. I also feel thankful for the difficult times that I've been through in my life that prepared me for this new time and these new children in our lives. It seems weird to be thankful for times that were so painful, but I'm getting to see with a new perspective.
Romans 8:28 says 'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.'
God's picture of our lives is so beautiful!! Just take the time to step back from your picture and get a new perspective.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
