Fostering is Water

My husband, M, had quite the revelation this weekend.  He was talking with a pastor friend about our newest foster baby.  His friend commented on just how hard parenting can be.  But M had to interject that yes, parenting is hard, but fostering is harder.

You see when you are simply parenting, whether it be your bio or adopted children, you are investing in your future with them.  Granted, none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, but you understand what I mean.  When you parent a foster child you are investing in his or her future and the future of their bio family.  There is no personal gain on the investment.  Witnessing the fruits of your labor and their future impact are gone the moment that child leaves your home.

Don't get me wrong, the joy of the moments and the love you shared will stay with you forever.  But more likely than not, this little person  that you loved, sacrificed for, lost sleep over, and helped wounds heal, will take these gifts with them and you will not get to see them bloom, someone else will. You will not be part of any "remember when" moments like the ones I had with my family on a recent visit.  You know, when you sit around your childhood home and reminisce about a million little things, laughing till your sides hurt, soaking up the love of a shared past.

So if you love parenting because you get to see the fruits of your labor brought forth in your children, then fostering may not be for you.  If you can invest all and not ever expect anything in return (long term), then what are you waiting for?

Fostering is the water.  1 Corinthians 3:6-7 says "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."  Be the water for some children and know that God will carry forth the work,  to bless them and those that love them.