When I was pregnant with E, I dealt with the waiting in lots of different ways. I read books about babies and raising children, I rearranged the nursery at least a dozen times, I reorganized her closet and clothes at least once a week, and I just tried to stay busy.
Well, as we wait for #2 and/or #3 I find myself in that same bind. I've read blogs about what to do while you wait for the call. PRAY is the biggest advice to fill the time. Pray for you and your spouse. Pray for the child(ren) that will be placed in your home. Pray for their families and parents. Pray for the social workers and people that will be part of the 'team' you will work with. I think this is really good advice because a strong prayer life is what is going to help get you through. I feel it is also a way to form a bond with the biological parents before you even meet. God can start working in their hearts even before your paths cross.
E and I recently visited family in IN and went to the Children's Museum up there. (Which is FABULOUS by the way.) They have a HUGE new exhibit on the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. This Terracotta Army was built to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huang so that he was protected in the afterlife. There were over 8,000 soldiers all of which had different faces carved into the terracotta clay. Qin Shi Huang not only prepared his defense for the afterlife, but he also prepared to be entertained with an under ground stream and garden that held all different types of birds, also carved from the terracotta clay. As we explored this exhibit, I was amazed at the extent of preparation Qin Shi Huang went to. He began constructing his army when he was 13 years old. Imagine preparing to die from the age of 13.
God tells us in a very familiar scripture in Philippians; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I imagine that the parents we are going to come in contact with are hurting. I imagine they are going to be struggling with all sorts of 'demons', be they of this world or not. Their hearts need guarding. OUR hearts need guarding. Just like Qin Shi Huang's terracotta clay, I believe prayer is what is going to hold us together through this next adventure.
So, I have taken the advice of the experienced foster bloggers out there, and I have began to pray. Much more than I was previously doing and specifically for this situation. I am even considering a prayer journal where I can record my petitions and see how God answers them through the next few months and beyond. It's crazy to think that the kiddo(s) that we may be a safe haven for, may be out there right now. I pray that God is putting people in their lives and in the lives of their family that guide them not only to us, but to Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment