As a foster parent I relish the times when I am able to connect with my kiddos on a deeper level. One thing that I was not expecting is the thirst they have for the Lord. They love church, they love to hear God’s word, they have a million questions about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, His word, and prayer. I was not expecting this behavior at all and in the midst of all of the chaos God blessed me with these sweet souls who were actively seeking Him.
Transitions are especially difficult for foster kids. The car can be a time of great stress it does not matter whether you are getting in or getting out or somewhere in between.
One of my favorite things to do with the kids is sing worship songs. Before I can even get the car started the requests start coming in for this song or that song. I start hearing, “no, I asked first” I help them decide the order of the songs and then after I have started playlist we are able to leave the house. I have listened to certain songs at least a hundred times because they are particular favorites of the kids. One such song is, “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship.
My foster daughter experienced severe sexual abuse from 3-8 years of age. When she came to our home she was very interested in God and salvation. She told me that her parents took her to a church that worshipped Satan. As I watched her deal with the traumatic events of her past I could see there was a struggle in her that she could not get past. One day in the car after we had listened to “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship she asked me a very difficult question. She asked me if I am chosen and not forsaken as the song says then why did God let all of those things happen to me at my parents house? In that moment there was nothing that I could say that would suffice this sweet child’s broken heart. She felt utterly forsaken. My heart broke for her. I have doubted God’s goodness in my life as well. It was one of the hardest conversations I have ever had to have with someone. As best I could, I told her that there are things that we will never understand on this earth but God and His character are something that we can rely on. I told her that when I have a hard time trusting God in a situation I go back to who He is and who He says I am. I asked her who God says she is? She said, “I am a child of God, chosen, not forsaken.” When I picked her up that day she told me that she sang the song the whole day. At eight, she has been through more than I had in 48 years.
Things don’t always turn out perfectly and in fact things can get worse. Staying focused on who God is and who we are in Him will shape our response to the terrible things of this life. I know my sweet girl has a long road ahead of her in regards to recovery and restoration but she is His and He will finish what He has started.
