Friday, March 20, 2015

Aren't you afraid you will get attached...

As most of you know, our family has been fostering kids for the last 10 months or so. We have had three little ones come and join our family for a short time. The question I get asked the most is: Aren't you afraid you will get attached? My answer to this question has changed over the months. I'm learning to be nicer in how I respond. 

One of the first times someone asked me that question, we were at the park and my response was this: "Well I would rather get attached then see a story on the news with them dead." Okay, I realized pretty quick that this was not the best way to respond. I have since made my response not so harsh. When people ask me now, I simply say " yes, you will probably get attached, but if you go into it knowing that the main goal is to reunite the child with his/her parents, then it makes it much easier when it is time for them to leave." 

Today, I saw a story on the local news's facebook page, about a man who barricaded him and his 5 year old son in his apartment.  They finally were able to get the guy out of his apartment, but when they went in they found his 5 year old son dead. This story brought me back to when I basically told off the lady in the park! I don't know this guys story. I don't know if the child had been in foster care before. But what I do know is that if we can get more houses available, then maybe, just maybe we can save the lives of these children. 

I got to hear a panel of former foster kids talk, a few weeks ago. It was really neat! They all still had contact with their former foster families! I found this to be so encouraging. So if you are afraid of being attached, if that is the only thing holding you back, then please...PLEASE...I beg you to let go of that fear and become part of a life changing ministry. You are needed. That extra room in your house, it's needed. The opportunity for you to give love, hope and strength to a child is here for the taking. All you have to do is answer the call.