A child in foster care tugs at the heart strings. The workers and foster parents know each child has been abused or neglected. They also know what a child needs to thrive. It is not an easy field to work in, so God bless those who do.
A Georgia foster father said, “The reality is that fostering has pulled out, at times, the absolute worst in me and the worst in our family as well as the best. So, those hard times wreck us and it’s not fun. When we’re through it and on the other side, it’s worth it.” His wife added, “Fostering is hard but so is just having a family. Parenting is hard. But we really feel called to this and when God calls, He provides.” It’s not providing shelter, food, and clothes that is hard. It’s helping the child recover from a mentality of survival to thrive in a safe, healthy, happy home.
Child psychologist Kathy Koch lists some of the emotional needs of a child: belonging, security, identity, and purpose. If you step back and notice, these are human needs independent of age. Deprived of these, anyone can resort to desperation to satisfy the need.
Psalm 139 reveals how God meets basic human needs as listed by Dr. Koch. Belonging (v5): “You have laid your hand upon me.” Security (v.12): “Even the darkness is not dark to You.” Identity (v.13): “You wove me in my mother’s womb.” Purpose (v.16): “In Your book were written the days that were ordained for me.” The person who prays, “lead me in the everlasting way” (v.24) will find her deepest need met. This prayer points to Jesus, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Dr. Koch’s basic parenting advice is this: “Help them learn that being uncomfortable in a season is reality. You can’t run from it. You can’t hide from it. You live through it and walk through it.” That’s good advice for you, too. Live the resilient life by fostering faith in the God who walks with you and knows your deepest need.