SCC usually sings straight to my heart. His desire to see orphans find homes is expressed in some of his songs. He and his wife, MaryBeth have certainly put forth much effort in their lives in promoting awareness that there is great need for adoptive families across the world.

But this song, in particular, speaks to the real reason we are on this journey of fostering.

Jesus said that one day all the nations will be gathered, and that He will separate people one from another and will say to some: Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit The kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed Me, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to Me. For, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.

John said that we should not love in word or talk only, but in deed and in truth.
James said that real religion – the authentic kind – is demonstrated by those who are willing to serve those in need – like orphans (or widows without families).

After attending his concert five or six years ago, and hearing Steven Curtis Chapman’s challenge, Brent and I began talking about the repeated message in God’s word (that God has a heart for orphans). One day we basically said to each other: “Now that we really know God says this and we have been made aware of the statistics about orphans… What now?”It was really this question that sent us into this journey.

February 7 marked the year anniversary of  the day that our “what now?” collided with the clear direction of God. It marks “the day before”…
The day before we were officially foster parents.
The day before we met Buddy.
The day before I realized I could actually feel like a mama to a child I didn’t even know existed until he was almost 3.
The day before we were all in.
The day before it became clear what a child without a family actually looks like, sounds like, and acts like.
The day before our lives changed forever.

It also marks the day before many following days of asking “what now?” And my Abba Father has been faithful to guide us and be near us everyday. Today it hit me and I said to Brent: if Buddy has to leave one day, it’s going to be different around here, isn’t it?
He said Yes. Yes it is.
And I realize more than ever that the fostering journey, if anything, is certainly daily. If our little guy moves on one day soon, then we will again look toward heaven and ask “What now?”

Part Six: No Words