So. . . Now What?

A few days ago, I wrote a facebook post that ended up going a little viral.  The fact that it was shared over and over had nothing to do with me and EVERYTHING to do with the content.

Foster Parents.

Apparently, people on Facebook think they are pretty darn great.  So much so, that they shared the story I wrote about over a hundred times.

So, now what?

What do we do with the good feelings that the story evoked? Where do we go with our desire to DO something about foster care?

I've got a few ideas.

Do you have any foster families in your community, church, or neighborhood? If so, you have an answer.

This week, go show them some love.  Instead of asking them what they need, just go DO something.

• Bring them a meal or have dinner delivered to their house. 
• Mow their yard. 
• Show up with coffee and donuts. 
• Wash their cars. 
• Offer to come over and babysit (or bring your kids over to play and entertain their kids). 
• Grab some books, stop by for the afternoon and read to their kids so they can get things done around the house. 

If you don't have any connections to a foster family, contact your church, school, or your local county or private foster care agency to get some names of foster families.  Then, proceed with an action from the list above.

It's simple and easy.

Here's a little secret. . . most of the foster families I know are not good at asking for help.  But, just because they don't ask, doesn't mean they don't need it. They are doing hard things, friends. Let's step up and provide some relief. Some really need physical help around the house.  Others could just use some community to love on them, listen to them, and pray with them.

That is YOU!!!!! 

Ready for something more? Want to start the foster care licensing process?  Do it! There will never be a "perfect time." If you have been thinking about it and everyone in the family is on the same page about feeling called to do foster care, THEN DO IT.

Take the class. Learn as much as you can.  See where it can take you.

You may end up becoming a Respite Provider, doing short term or emergency placement foster care.

You may become a full-time foster parent.

You may foster to adopt.

You may decide fostering is not the wisest fit for your family.

You won't know until you take the classes.  SO DO IT.

Hundreds more children were placed into the foster care system TODAY across the United States. Some will be spending the night at a shelter or at the Department of Human Services building because there are not enough available homes for them.

I'm not writing that to for dramatic effect.  I'm writing it to encourage you to MOVE.

I'm asking you, actually, BEGGING you, to either love on and encourage the families who are currently fostering so that they have the strength to continue or start the foster care process yourself.

There is a need.  YOU can meet it.