Last Sunday morning in Owensboro, a newborn was removed from her mother’s custody and placed in the arms of a waiting foster mom, who began feeding her right away. This happened in a hospital within eyesight of the church where we were worshipping at the same time.

This moment in time was both a tragedy and a wonder.

A tragedy because a child should be raised by her biological parents, and something has gone dramatically wrong for that design to be disrupted.

A wonder because a family in our church is ready to take care of the baby as if she is their own, whether she stays a couple of months or forever.

This is on top of the baby’s almost 2-year old sister, who is in care with the same family. We got to keep the sister for a few days last week - she’s a tiny, busy, happy handful of life. 

I guarantee that something similar happened in your town recently. If you’re reading this, I’m asking you to think about how you can help.

Some are called to foster and adopt. Manyto are called to other gospel endeavors, which is right and good.

But even if you’re not fostering, you probably know somebody involved - and they need encouragement.

Take them a meal, give them a gift card, arrange a night off, mow their yard, drop off a couple outfits, get on the list to provide respite care - do something practical to relieve some of the load.

This kind of boost means more than you know. There’s a reason Paul says not to grow weary in doing good.

(And by the way - this is a huge part of truly being pro-life.)

14 years ago, a social worker brought a little girl to our house who looked an awful lot like that 2-year-old we kept last week. She too reached her arms up to be held. She touched grass like she had never seen it before. She wouldn’t eat her peas. She cried a lot, but she was pretty cute.

Last Saturday, she turned 16. She is lovely and sweet and kind and talented, and she loves Jesus. (She still cries, but hey, she’s a teenage girl.)

This didn’t happen because we’re any kind of special. We’re not. You would be amazed at the stories of so many who do so much in the foster world. It happened because of God’s grace - both in our lives and hers.

Want to practice pure and undefiled religion this week? Find a way to encourage a foster/adoptive family, and stick with it.

The need is great. The road is long. The grace is sufficient.

Grace and peace to you in the week ahead. 

P.S.  We do need more people willing to foster … let me know if you want to chat about it.