I would buy eyedrops that keep my eyes from rolling. I would use them every time I am in a public situation. Here's why. When people find out we are a foster family, they inevitably make the same comment everyone before them made. "I don't know how you do it. I would get so attached." I usually just reply with something uber-spiritual about how God gives us what we need to get through each situation, yawn yawn yawn. And while I do believe that, what my heart is screaming at people (and why I need the eye drops) is this:
Why are you more concerned about breaking your grown-up heart than you are about changing the life of a parentless, neglected, or abused child? So you invite a broken child into your stable (or rocky, 'cause none are perfect) home, show him who Jesus is, what family is, what healthy means. Give him confidence and faith in God to face a difficult life ahead or avoid a sad, broken, grown-up heart. Are you made of glass? Or is the "I would get too attached" reason a touchy-feely excuse for a bigger fear?
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can with Christ. But better yet, I WILL with Christ. There is so much we CAN do with Christ, but we just don't. For whatever lame reason or grown-up excuse, we have decided our families are better off padded-room-protected, avoiding any serious difficulties.
Disclaimer 2. Please see my heart. It isn't to guilt people, only to inspire people to reach out to these broken kids and at the same time give our own kids a bigger story to be a part of.
What are your foster fears?
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