A few years ago, my wife and I decided to start fostering. So, we made a few phone calls and got set up in some classes to prepare us for this another chapter in our lives. Finally, after several weeks of classes and meeting new people we certified to foster.
This reminds me how Paul said in Galatians 1:11 that the Gospel was a Certified Gospel, that it had the seal of approval from God.
A few days later, we got a call saying they had two children for us, a brother and sister. On our way to pick the children up we had “second thoughts” not sure if we should be doing his or if we can help them.
Christ tells us we should always count the cost on anything we do, especially becoming a Christian. Luke 14:27- “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and count the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it. Christianity is a lifetime commitment and we should make sure we are willing to make the changes and give up certain things in our lives; that they don’t draw us backout into the world.
Taking those two kids’ home was a life changing event. Our son had grown and left home and it had been just me and my wife for several years. We had to change habits and our life style. Being a Christian requires us to give up old habits and create a new life style. Peter says in Acts 2:38, We are to repent and be baptized for the remission of our sins. Repenting means we have to change old habits when we are baptized. Paul says we become a new creature. Putting off the old man of sin, and walk in a newness of life.
Romans: 6:1-6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his Resurrection: knowing this that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
So, our journey began, getting up at 6:30am every morning and getting them ready for school, seeing that they had breakfast before they left, making sure we were home in the evening when they got off the bus and having supper on the table. The kids loved our dinners especially our Sunday dinners with all of our family gathered around. They had never experienced that before and looked forward to family dinner every week; isn’t it great when we can gather together upon the first day of the week and partake of the Lord’s Supper and knowing our Lord and Savor is right there with us. Matthew 26:26-29 26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and break it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Being in his Kingdom (Colossians 1:13) we can look forward to that family meal every week as our kids do.
As the days grew into weeks and the weeks into months, we found ourselves enjoying our time together; although there were plenty of rough times and a lot of trials and tribulations along the way.
The day had come that the kids began spending weekends with their parents, they told them about our Sunday dinners and encouraged them to do the same and asking them to take them to church. (We are to let our light shine to the world).
Finally, the day came when they got to go home. That was a sad day all around, we all had drawn close. We were sad to see them go but happy to see them reunited with their family again.
Kind of like losing a loved one, our hearts are broken, but on the other hand there is a rejoicing in heaven when a Child of God comes home. Just like those parents getting their children back. Also knowing that we have the promise of God that we can see them again someday. In Thess. 8:13-18- The Lord is coming back to get his family and take them home.
Having the opportunity to give those kids a safe haven while they were struggling to get home to their parents was a new experience for us. Just like living a Christian Life will be a new experience for many of us. The road will be rough and rocky and as Peter said we will be tried by fire but as the song goes, “Heaven will surely be worth it all.”
As John said in Revelation 2:10 Let us be faithful unto death and God will give us a crown of life.
Have a Blessed Day and Love to you all!
David Blankenship
4-4-2021
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