A Lifelong Impact

I can still remember the first time that my parents said that they were considering doing foster care.  I was all for it, but I did not fully understand the process.  Next thing I knew, a foster care agent was knocking on our door, handing us our first placement, and I remember thinking, "Is this my brother now?" Then, we proceeded with the life that we had with him, and it was so much better than I could have ever imagined.

I would be lying to you if I said that all the days were great. I would be lying if at some points I didn't think that I felt like this foster kid was getting all the attention. I would be lying if I said that when a foster kid went away from us, it didn't hurt more than anything I thought could. But when I realized that this isn't about me, it's about helping hurting people. Just like Jesus commanded us to do, and then I read a verse like Acts 20:35 which says, "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." And these verses helped me to see that foster care is not something that I had to live with; it was a way that I could serve my God and help people in need. 

Now, many years into foster care, honestly, there is no other way that I would have wanted to grow up than to have a part in these kids' lives. I told my wife when we first got married that I wanted to do foster care in our family because of the impact it had on me. She was all for it, and I'm grateful for her support. Foster care is so amazing, and there are so many lifelong lessons that I have learned and I wanted to share them with you all: 

1. It gave me a bigger view of family 

I remember when God brought so many different foster care kids through our home, I didn't see it as here is another random kid in my house, rather I saw it as here is another extension of our family that I love.  What would start as a care for them would develop into a deep love for these kids because they were not just living with the family, they were a part of OUR family.

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." —Romans 12:10

2. It gave me compassion for all people

The next thing that foster care taught me was that it did not matter who you were or what age, you still needed compassion. Whether it was the foster kids that came by the house, or the families that would visit, or the Zoom calls that my parents would put the kids on, so that they could see their biological parents. These people are not just statistics or numbers; rather, they are broken people who need help. People need help, whether it was my parents needing help chasing crazy kids around the house, or it was families in need of a place to stay, we have to be a part of that compassion.

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." — 1 Peter 3:8

3. It taught me resilience and flexibility

Life when you are fostering isn't always predictable. Kids come and go, routines shift, and emotions run high. But one thing that I learned is that if we stay close to the Lord and stick together as a family, we can tackle any storm that comes our way.  It didn't matter who was there or what challenge we faced; foster care helped me grow, and I am so thankful for it. 

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." — 1 Corinthians 10:13

"I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." — Philippians 4:13

4. It taught me sacrifice and service 

Sharing parents, bedrooms, and even traditions wasn't always easy. Looking back, though, I can see that the Lord was using all of that to teach me how to sacrifice and how to be of service. Foster care taught me that the Lord has given me so much, and with what He has given me, I can sacrifice that to be of service to people who are in need. 

"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." — Philippians 2:4

"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." — 1 Peter 4:10

5. It helped me grow in gratitude 

Having witnessed children come into our homes with nothing, I am so thankful for the blessings that the Lord has given to me. It has given me a different view of parents who love me, a house over my head, food to eat, friends, and a church that loves me.

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning  you." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18

---

When we think about foster care, let's remember—it is never wasted.

Every hug, every sacrifice, every late-night talk, and every tear builds a legacy. A legacy of love that stretches far beyond the years at home and into adulthood, marriage, parenting, and ministry. 

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." — 1 Corinthians 13:13