I really wanted to get excited with Martha. But instead, I felt panicky.
At the playground with our kids, she was telling me about a powerful sermon she heard with her husband. “The preacher pointed out that if every Christian family in the US were to adopt, there would be no children in the foster care system. No kids in group homes.”
I nodded. My daughter was in the baby swing, her face alight as I gently pushed her to and fro.
“I mean, many evangelicals talk about being pro-life, but then do nothing to care for kids in the foster care system, to adopt, or to support foster parents. We’re meeting to pray with a few people about next steps. We’re really excited.”
“I can tell,” I said weakly, my heart thudding. The sun shone; the park was idyllic: lawn manicured, hedges trimmed. But as Martha spoke, her hands gesturing with her passion, I wanted to run and hide in the beige play structure.
If every Christian were to adopt, she said.
“It’s not for everyone,” I said. “Adoption, I mean.”
Martha paused. “Oh, I know,” she said. “I don’t feel prepared to adopt at this point; which is why we are focusing on supportive ministries.”
The fist in my chest loosened a bit, and I smiled at her. I appreciated Martha and her deep passion about injustice. She and her husband, Shep, were so engaged, so intentional with how they lived out their faith. At the time, it felt like they were on the varsity Christian team.
I, on the other hand, was on the bench in JV, struggling even to pray…
I’m over at The Mudroom, talking about that time I DIDN’T want to serve foster youth. Join me there?
Caring for People Has Led Me Smack-Dab into God’s Love