Inspirational

FOSTER-CHILDREN CHALLENGE
by Muriel Larson

            "What on earth has happened to Bryce?" teacher Bill Reynolds asked his mother-in-law, Mom Zajicek. "He's been like an entirely new boy today at school!"

            "Well, he is a new boy," Mom answered cheerfully. "yesterday he asked Jesus to be his Savior. I was wondering if you'd notice any difference."

            "Notice a difference!" exclaimed Bill. "Listen, that boy has been the bane of my existence in teaching school! He's been the most incorrigible boy I've ever seen."

            "Yes, I know," Mom Zajicek sighed. "I guess that's why the poor boy has gone from one foster home to another. But all he's needed has been love--and Jesus!"

            The Zajiceks took another mistreated waif into their home--another one who have been considered incorrigible. Her name was Starla. Jesus and tender loving care made a new person out of Starla too. She and Bryce lived with the Zajiceks like bother and sister--with a new, wonderful feeling of belonging.

            The Zajiceks themselves, whose children were grown and married, found their lives full and meaningful with this new family to care for. Even so, this might be a wonderful calling for other empty nesters whose children are now out on their own. And the state provides for the support and care of these children.
THE NEED IS GREAT           

            One county in Texas needed some 300 foster homes to care adequately for the many foster children who need homes. Their emergency shelter overflows with children ranging in age from 11 months to 12 years whose homes have broken up or who have been abandoned. Their condition exists in many part of our country.

            Mrs. Duke, the woman in charge of that emergency shelter, is probably the nearest thing to a mother that many of those homeless children have ever had. One little tyke wrote her a note one day: "Dear Mother--You are the best mother in the whole world and I love you very, very, very, very, very much."

            Another little six-year-old, who was subject to violent tantrums when he came to the shelter, overcame to a large measure his hostility toward the world through receiving a little love and attention. He has spent much of his time just clinging to Mrs. Duke's leg, as if he never wants to let her go, and saying lovingly, "Mama, Mama, Mama."

            Isn't it a shame that there are little ones today who aren't wanted, who aren't loved, who are abused, sometimes badly? Yet some people have much love to give and could change little lives if they would give it.

            Here is a real ministry for Christians: to take little "state' children into their homes, love them, train them, and help them to know that Jesus loves them. Some of these children stay but a few months and then adoptive parents are found for them or they are returned to their real parents. Some of the, like Bryce and Starla, may stay for years.

            As Christians, if we felt this work laid upon our hearts, we could ask the Lord to give into our care just the children He would have us care for. Thus the time element would not have to concern us, for we could trust the Lord as far as that was concerned.

            Although one famous Hollywood star achieve fame and fortune, she was such an unhappy person that she was constantly seeking psychiatric help and finally died tragically as a result of an overdose of sleeping pills. She had spent most of her formative years in foster homes and an orphanage. In one foster home she claimed she had been constantly reminded what a terrible sinner she was and that she was going to hell. She intimated that this approach turned her against religion. But if she had been in a real loving Christian family for a while, it might have made a big difference in the course of her life.

A CHALLENGE FOR CHRISTIAN

            Yes, here is a challenge for Christians--foster children. Here is an opportunity to change lives and head them in the right direction. And here are some suggestions concerning this challenge:

            1. Ask the Lord what He would have you do about it. It may not be God's will for you to do that work for Him. He may have something else He wants you to do. In relation to this challenge, He may only use you to encourage others Christians to do this work. On the other hand, we should ask, "Lord, do you want me to do this work for you? Should I contact my county welfare unit about taking a child or two and then leave the rest to you?"

            2. If He lays this work on your heart--do it! The Lord can and does speak to our hearts about doing certain things. And if He leads us to do something, then He will give us the enabling power and wisdom to do it. The Apostle Paul declared, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Even so, the Lord can work out every detail. I have found this to be true in anything I've felt led to do for Him.

            3. Don't expect the children to be models of good behavior. These children may have been kicked from pillar to post. So it will require patience, love, and understanding to care for them. This isn't an easy ministry, but it's challenging! By applying Biblical principles (mixing equal portions of discipline and love), by teaching them God's Word and taking them to church, by pointing them to Jesus and letting them know you love them, you will be able to bring about a change in their lives and behavior.

            4. Be ready to love each child you take with all your heart. This may be hard, but with God's help you can do it. You'll have to realize that you may have to part with a child you have come to care for deeply. But if this ministry is what God is calling you to, He will help you. For He can give peace and comfort to aching hearts. You will have great joy if you have helped to lead young lives in the right direction. If the child has trusted Jesus as his Savior while in your care, it will make a difference for the rest of his life.

            5. Draw near to the Lord and abide in Him. You will need His help each step of the way. Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit. For without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

            Many of these unloved children may become juvenile delinquents and derelicts in life. Many may grow to be unhappy misfits. But those who are taken into Christian homes; who come to know Jesus, the Bible, and a gospel-preaching church; who bask in the love and tender, motherly care of a good Christian woman; and who get to know a real Christian man as foster father--those will have the change in life that every precious soul should have.