Some very close friends of mine made the decision back in the spring to become foster parents, and have been blessed to care for a 3-month-old baby boy since the day he came home from the hospital. And although I've learned a whole host of things from walking their journey along side of them, what God's really pressing on me involves a story parallel to theirs, yet divinely intertwined.
The precious baby who entered our hearts and lives with a mere five hours' notice also has two older brothers who had been in a different placement up until two weeks ago. When their last foster family could no longer care for them, the boys were placed with a couple who just happens to be friends with many in our church community, including the family caring for their brother. Since we'd already fallen in love with the youngest of these boys, the opportunity to meet the older two was highly anticipated to say the least.
Unlike the arrival of their brother, we knew the older boys were coming for a full week before the transition occurred. This is nothing at all compared to the years-long wait involved with international adoptions, but God had a lot to teach me even in such a short span of time. From the moment we heard the news, there were text messages exchanged, prayers said, hugs given, and help offered. It wasn't just a young couple waiting anxiously; it was an entire community. And throughout that week, one thought kept running through my mind.... If only those boys could know how much we long for them to be a part of our lives.
It's an easy parallel to make, and one that might seem cliche' to some, but have you ever thought about how much God longs for YOU? If you grew up in church or have been attending for any length of time, you've heard how He loves you and longs to be in a relationship with you. There's a big difference, though, in knowing something and living like you believe it. What would it be like if we lived into the love He offers? What would we do if we truly believed that His love was without limits? How would we respond if we knew the love came, not because of anything we did or might do, but simply because we're His?
The day those boys entered their new family was a day to celebrate. We cried at the sight of their pictures, and we eagerly looked forward to the day we could hold them in our arms. They were surrounded by love and prayers and support before they ever saw our faces. They were wanted for no other reason than because they were children of God.
And we, also being His children, are wanted as well... wanted, and longed for, and loved more than we could ever know.
Unlike the arrival of their brother, we knew the older boys were coming for a full week before the transition occurred. This is nothing at all compared to the years-long wait involved with international adoptions, but God had a lot to teach me even in such a short span of time. From the moment we heard the news, there were text messages exchanged, prayers said, hugs given, and help offered. It wasn't just a young couple waiting anxiously; it was an entire community. And throughout that week, one thought kept running through my mind.... If only those boys could know how much we long for them to be a part of our lives.
It's an easy parallel to make, and one that might seem cliche' to some, but have you ever thought about how much God longs for YOU? If you grew up in church or have been attending for any length of time, you've heard how He loves you and longs to be in a relationship with you. There's a big difference, though, in knowing something and living like you believe it. What would it be like if we lived into the love He offers? What would we do if we truly believed that His love was without limits? How would we respond if we knew the love came, not because of anything we did or might do, but simply because we're His?
The day those boys entered their new family was a day to celebrate. We cried at the sight of their pictures, and we eagerly looked forward to the day we could hold them in our arms. They were surrounded by love and prayers and support before they ever saw our faces. They were wanted for no other reason than because they were children of God.
And we, also being His children, are wanted as well... wanted, and longed for, and loved more than we could ever know.
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