One Week with Children as Their "Mommy"

Today is Tuesday. I moved in last Tuesday. So aside from the past weekend off, I have been here for a week. I am amazed at how time has gone by so quickly already. I have been overwhelmed and overcome with all sorts of emotions and I think the first few days I even forgot to eat.

But now that I have a moment to reflect, I can look back on this interesting and unique position I have been blessed with. I live with three children. I do all the things that a parent would do for them. I cook breakfast for them each day, clean them, dress them, wash their clothes, hug them when they cry and many more little things that have become to feel normal. Yet of course, these children aren't my own but currently they are. They are filling a void in my heart and giving me a sense of responsibility. I need to be back each day to pick them up from daycare. I need to wake up in the middle of the night to soothe them when they cry. But most of all, I pray that God will continue to show me how to love them as if they were my own. I pray that I would learn to love them earnestly and without ceasing in the midst of all their disobedience as Christ continues to love me.

I don't know what God is doing yet as this journey has just begun. But I am excited for the experience and to see the beauty of what God did for us in a whole new way.

"God decided in advance to adopt us

into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.

This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure."

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)

Two Weeks

In a little more then two weeks, my life will be flipped upside down.

About two weeks ago now, I had an interview as a Residential Caregiver for a organization where I would be the primary caregiver of four children that were removed from their families based on sexual, emotional, physical abuse or child neglect.

These children are then put into this facility while they hopefully await the parents conversion and ultimately being hopefully reunited with their family in a better home. Some of these children's parents are deemed by the judge as unfit parents which then they are put into the foster system.

God opened my eyes to this system that I had never known anything about. I knew that I love children and love any experience I have had working with them. But this is just a whole different ballpark. But when I think about what a valuable experience this would be for me to love those that God loves endlessly as their parent should. There is nothing more rewarding or valuable then that.

So with that, this week I will step out with my faith in Christ. I will put in my two weeks with my current employer and trust that this is God's direction for my next step right now. I will take a step of faith and walk into an area filled with broken children and seek to love them everyday.

"People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them,

but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.

He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:13-14

Without You

"If Your presence goes I don't want to stay
If Your presence stays I don't want to go"

- Without You by Shane & Shane

This has been my prayer the past few days as I try to determine God's will for the next stage of my life. My mind is constantly swirling on where I can best serve God. I am torn between options that don't exist or ones that seem to becoming more available.

I can decide something on impulse and decide that because of the situation that's where God wants me. But this decision takes time and I know I must give it to God and wait for him to speak to me. So here goes.

Psalm 68

This is who God is:

• a father of the fatherless
• a defender of the widows
• a leader who leads prisoners with singing
• a provider for the poor
• a God who daily bears our burdens
• a God who saves

and so very much more.

"You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary;

the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Praise, be to God!" - Psalm 68: 35

Take Heart

You really love me and you really are for me.

Finally I believe it. Finally I see it.

"Take Heart" - Hillsong United

Repair the Brokenness

"Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."

Isaiah 58:12