It has been a couple of weeks, but this series isn’t done yet! Today, I have the privilege of sharing the heart of a momma who loves deeply and represents many mommas who are making room in their homes, their families, and their hearts for children in need of foster care.
Remember, in this series, I have asked all of the moms these three questions:
1. What is your greatest need?
2. What do you want my kids to know about yours?
3. What do you desire most from other moms?
If you haven’t had a chance, pop on over and read about some other incredible women, Episode 1: Adoptive Moms, Episode 2: Moms of Children with Special Needs, and Episode 3: Let’s Hear it for the Single Mommas; you will be both informed & compelled to love well.
But, this post will help us learn how to be Jesus’ hands and feet to mommas who are on the front lines, loving with radical, inconvenient, heart-wrenching love.
What is her greatest need?
Focused, intentional prayer–prayer for biological parents to become healthy/make healthy choices, prayer for children to regain strength and adapt to new surroundings that they didn’t choose. Prayer that Jesus is evident to all involved through the many meetings, hearings, and appointments.
Am I the only one surprised at this being the greatest need? I anticipated: help! or babysitting! Women of God, there is no excuse not to meet this need for foster mommas. Let’s be intentional about prayer for these mommas and the precious babies they care for.
2. What does she want my kids to know about hers?
She wants our children to know that her foster kiddos did not choose to come into foster care, and that might mean they act out as they’re adjusting. But, they’re still just kids (hmm….sounds familiar from other episodes, doesn’t it?)
She suggests telling your kids that the foster children are simply new brothers/sisters to her kiddos, but in Jesus we are all siblings anyway, so it really isn’t too big of a deal. A great perspective, right?
3. What does she desire most from other moms?
Support, coffee, and adult time, are all still needed (just like all of us mommas need), but she begs for our patience and flexibility as we work to set a date to get together. She has now added to her schedule: weekly visits, doctors appointments, and a million pieces of paperwork (let alone the home she cares for and her biological babies).
She shares too that though she has grown to handle them just fine, it can be hard on a foster momma’s heart when questions are asked such as: How long will they be with you? Why are they in your care? Will you adopt them? And, she urges us to guard ourselves from judging the biological parent’s choices and lifestyles. She told me, “if you can’t say anything nice, think of something!”
Foster mommas are being Jesus to children who desperately need to feel Jesus hands and know His heart; let us, the women of God, rise up and support, love, and intentionally cover in prayer these mommas!