If you do nothing else this weekend pick up the latest copy of Newsweek. Not because it's cover story is about Spirituality in America: What We Believe, How We Pray, Where We Find God but because of the My Turn article on page 16. It's written by a junior in high school whose family takes care of foster children. It will move you to tears.
posted by jch at
10:52 AM
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I want to have a teenager like that. I want to teach teenagers like that. To be naive about "The OC" but not about the poor or abused...what a great thing to strive for. There could be a whole discussion about parents sheltering their kids from culture AND the uncomfortable things in life.
Nightline did a report two days ago about Don Chealde taking his wife and two young daughters to Northern Uganda. He wanted to show his children how a lot of the world's children lived. They saw the thousands of kids who flood into Gulu each night to seek shelter from the rebel army, who kidnapps kids and endoctrinates them as soldiers. You can listen to the Nighline Podcast of the show by clicking here (must have iTunes). I am showing the video to my teens on Sunday.
Thanks Joe for the article, I read it with tears in my eyes holding Levi on my lap.
I was in icu with my husband, my mother in law, and we were waiting for my son to wake up from a surgery which removed most of a tumor from his brain. We were devestated by the news we had heard less than 48 hours previous which brought us to this place. The room next to us lit up, nurses were moving with the speed of light, and all we could see was a 2 year old laying in the bed they had just moved her to. We found out after that 2 year old died that night her father had just come home from Iraq 24 hours ago, and beat her. Devestation turned to gratefulness. We have gained perspective in hospitals that helps us to be grateful for the situation we are in, at that moment I said to God thank you for my situation, thank you for my son and 2 other children, who never have to worry about being beaten. No matter what happens I am grateful that there is loving hands in our family, hands not quick to anger, hands guided by Jesus. God bless that little girls grieving family. That sweet girl is in the arms of Jesus.
Thanks for sharing. And thanks to J-Wild for the Nightline link.
lisa c
Thank you for the story link.
I need reminders like that to help me remember that I really do love my kids. It's been a long summer at our house. :(
Thanks for the essay. Having worked in the child welfare system for several years, the stories she shared didn't suprise me. However, I'm grateful for her words that will be read by thousands. All of us can get involved in supporting these children (without necessarily becoming a foster parent). Our foster care system needs volunteers to mentor children, teach them life skills, assist with transportation, etc. Families who are reunified with their children also need support to maintain the changes they have made in their lives. Again, thanks for sharing the essay. You remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Kari H.
I've been wading my way through an applicaton for CASA over the last two weeks. That was the kick in the butt I needed.
Echo Kari H. - I was only in social work a few years before becoming a stay-at-home mom, but the stories are way too familiar. A lot of people will read that article and not realize that for every child who had the opportunity to stay in the loving caring foster home of the author's family, there are many more who weren't so blessed. The system is over-burdened to say the least, and there just aren't enough options. Hopefully her insight and honesty will move many people to action who weren't aware of the need.
Jen Johnson
The number one question we get about being foster parents is, "how can you give them up?" It's funny b/c it really has no answer. "By God's grace," we usually say. But inside I'm thinking, "it's not really about us, that's how we do it." The author of the essay gives me hope that our son Isaac will learn what we are trying to teach him -- that the world is bigger than white, middle class, Bible belt suburbia -- even within our city limits. that there are real and tangible ways you can help. that when we have too much stuff, space, room in the car we must share. that once we know God's love, we have an obligation to do something with it.
Great article, Joe. Thanks for pointing it out. Someone should sign her up for early admission to a joint social work/ministry program. At the same time, she'll need a good mentor who can keep it real about things like compassion fatigue.
David Fritz--Amityville, NY
Thanks for sharing that article link, Joe. It's powerful stuff, and it convicts me today. I was just talking to friends about how my parents' 15 or more years of keeping foster-children is wearing them down. The truth is that my parents' spirits are stronger than ever. Time is wearing them down physically. The children pouring in and out of their house everyday are very like the ones in this story. I lost that innocence she speaks of when I was 10 or 11. I'm glad she was brave enough to write and the editors smart enough to share it. We live in a broken world that is in much need of help, love, comfort. I wish I could be more like that everyday. I wish I could be the person I think the world deserves to see serving Christ.
Wishing & Hoping,
Dana
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