Hope in the Rescue

Have you ever been rescued? I mean truly rescued. You were in a hopeless situation, no way out, but someone came just in time and saved you.

Recently I had the honor of meeting 2 teens, from separate circumstances, who both were in foster care and then adopted as teens. As I learn more of the horrors they endured and the light they now bring to others I am truly amazed. We are not all dealt a fair hand at birth. Some are born to drug addicts or parents who cannot care for their children. Circumstances do alter and shape who we are. However, the good news is that God can change that. Both boys, now 16 and 17 are amazing high schoolers. Both are good students and athletes. Many people judge foster kids. They assume they are rotten kids with no future. But we can learn from them and God does have a plan for us all.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

One of the people who brought me to know God when I was a teenager was “Donna”, whose family fostered kids. I went to their home and was amazed at how many teens lived there. It was pretty inspiring and actually quite intimidating. Some of these kids were tough and scary to me. They must have been through a lot. I remember one of them from grade school. We were not allowed to wear shorts to school unless it was track and field day at the end of the school year. My friend “Suzie” was wearing shorts and had a large gash and bruise on her thigh. I asked what happened and she said she fell off her bike. OK. Then another kid asked her and she said she fell down the stairs….huh? Why would she change her story? I was 9. I didn’t get it. A bit later her mom came up and started screaming at her for wearing shorts. Ahhhh…..maybe her mom hurt her. Well, the next day she could not sit down at school. She hurt too much. The teacher went to repot it and got a pillow from the nurse. Then my friend ended up in foster care with “Donna’s” family. The 3 of us grew up together in a small town in Wyoming. She is an amazing adult with a family of her own now. Thank goodness for the kindness of that particular foster family. Not everyone gets a break like that.

There are many children who need to be rescued –140 million orphans around the world, and 400,000 Foster Children in America, and Foster Children right there in your community who are modern-day orphans.

The boys I know today are grateful and respectful. They appreciate where they are. Someone finally wanted them. Someone finally took them home.

God loves the concept of family no matter how unusual the family is. He designed the family to be there in this world, to be with us. Families are as diverse as the individuals God has created. You may have just 1 parent. You may have a grandmother or even a family friend who is there for you. Families are not perfect and even though people are not perfect, family can be a bit more forgiving. Of course, a lot of families break apart and hold resentment. But with God’s help we can learn to be there for others and to forgive. Parenthood has made me grow and trust. Our family admits when we wronged and we forgive. We aren’t perfect but we have God there to help guide us.  

Psalm 68:6 – “God provides homes for those who are deserted. God makes a home for the lonely. God sets the lonely in families. “