Christ’s Call to Foster Care and Adoption

Winter Journey 2022

Written by Michelle Hardy

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40 (ESV)

In March 2017 we met a little brown-eyed boy with a huge smile and an infectious laugh. Our church youth were helping with an event, and I felt a tug on my heart that I had never experienced before. I played with this child whom I knew nothing about, other than he was visiting with a local family. When we left the event I looked at my husband and said, “I know this sounds crazy, but he is supposed to be with us. I feel like we are leaving him.”  

My husband is used to my crazy ideas but this was a first for him. I put his name in my prayer journal and continued to pray for him — not that he would live with us, but that he would have every need met, find favor with those he met and be blessed in everything he did. I prayed for a hedge of protection around him, and for comfort for any hurt that he may have experienced. 

It opened our eyes to a situation right here in our own county. So many children are in need of foster families. The social workers are overwhelmed trying to find them homes. There are not enough families available. We made up our minds: we would do everything we could to help.  

We signed up for foster care classes within the next few months. In October of that year, we got a phone call; the same little boy needed a home. We had everything ready, and he came walking up our sidewalk that following Tuesday. 

He was carrying his belongings in a small diaper box. It was one year later that he finally let me throw away the empty box — it was his box, and he kept his belongings close.  

Later we received the call to take his baby sister who was born eight weeks early. We brought her home after five long weeks in the NICU. We knew that this was where the Lord was leading us. We have since legally adopted these two. We have been able to have a great relationship with their biological mom and grandmother. As our children grow, they will know they are loved by a lot of people.

When going into foster care, you have preconceived notions about biological parents that no longer have their children. I was wrong.  How can you love a child and not their parents? Grace that was extended to me for my sins is the same grace that is extended to them. Grace is not something we earn.  The Lord called us to care for children and their parents. Sometimes the parents don’t know Jesus, and they don't know the love and grace He provides. The best way to share the Lord’s grace is by loving them and trying to help the parents get their lives and homes ready to bring their children back.  

We have adopted a sibling set through foster care. We extended our family not just to them but to their mother and grandmother. Our two children will have even more people to love and support them! Since starting this journey, we have had seven children in our home for different lengths of time. 

I was packing a little girl up to leave our home. I was battling my emotions — it was sad for me, but I was so happy for her to be reunited with her family. I was praying as I dressed her, “Lord, protect this little one, give her happiness and blessing beyond measure. Keep her under Your wing and shelter her from any hurt.”

 I felt the Lord impress upon my heart, “Thank you for taking care of this for Me. You did a good job, and now this season is over. She belongs with her grandma.”

 I will never lose sight of that. It does hurt, and I hate to see them go. But I have peace about it because that is what God intended. Every time we have a child, I always teach them they are created in God's very image, they are special and they have a Father in heaven who loves them beyond measure — no matter where they go He is with them. My desire is for every child to feel loved and important. People say “I couldn't give them up.” But when you see how happy a child is to be reunited with their parents, you could give them up. After all, it's not about us. It's about them. 

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.” Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)

Jesus is calling each and every one of us to help.

If you can't be a foster parent, you can help foster parents with clothes and supplies. Cook a meal for a foster family and pick up their groceries. Buy them tickets for movies, theme parks or bowling. If you don’t know a foster family, buy a gift card and donate it to a social worker in foster care. Look into becoming a guardian ad litem, which is a volunteer position to be a voice for children.

The point is we can all help in some way to make these kids feel important and loved. It's not the material things that matter; it is the feeling that they are important.