It’s been haunting us.
On Wednesday Bryce and I went on a lovely date night to the village at West Clay–a belated 8-year-anniversary dinner. We exclaimed over all of the lovely, new (huge!) houses surrounding the quaint little storefront restaurant. Enjoyed our dinner of burgers (for both) and fries (for him) and salad (for me). Chatted and listened to the live music near our table on the sidewalk eating area. It was a beautiful evening.
……..but earlier that day, we sat at our kitchen table with a worker from our foster agency. She was on call the night before, and received urgent requests from the Department of Child Services (DCS) from 1am – 5am about twenty-three children sitting in the office who needed a place to sleep. 23 children. 23 scared and lonely children. Sleeping in an office cubicle. Because there are literally no available/willing foster homes to take them in the greater central Indiana area.
Oh, our hearts broke.
We asked again if we could take more children, but our home is “maxed out” according to the State.
As we drove back home through the beautiful neighborhood, it haunted us. How many bedrooms did those huge houses have? Five? Six? And yet they can’t find a place to sleep children who are a mere 25 minute drive away. What is wrong with the world that such dichotomies exist? (Answer: Everything. Everything is wrong with the world. Everything is wrong with a world where children are sleeping in cubicles.)
I try to keep this blog about our personal journey (but not too personal, to protect the stories of our children). My main goal is to present the Gospel and the need, and then let the Holy Spirit do the convicting. But, maybe sometimes my words need to be stronger? Maybe I need to be more honest with you about the overwhelming need in your/our city?
Bryce and I are just heartbroken. For these children who have to sleep on the floor. For the care centers in Indianapolis that are overflowing and literally can’t take one more child right now. For the agencies who are maxed out and desperate for more foster families. Where is the Church in Indianapolis? Where is our church? In our congregation of 500+, why are there only 3 foster families? So many Bible-believing families with empty beds. (A brief online search brought up 700+ churches in the greater Indianapolis area!)
Yes, it’s true: not every family is “called” to foster and there are many ways to serve. But friends!!! There are children who need a place to sleep! Surely there are more families who can/should step in, do something hard, and care for a child–the least of these, the ones the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to. Use that spare bedroom (or two or three).
Let the reality haunt you. Let it sink in. Let it convict. Let Him call you to action.
Bryce and I dream of the day when the Church is overflowing with available foster families.
DCS will always have someone to call.
A child will never spend the night in a cubicle….
but instead will immediately be welcomed by a family who loves Jesus.
Will you do it?
Picture a child sleeping on the floor two nights ago.
Would you answer the phone if DCS called you?
Follow-up post HERE. For when the what-ifs come calling instead…
Very thought provoking words, well said. I am 61 years of age and have been recently exposed to the foster care system via my Daughter and Son in Law who fostered a 2 year old boy for a couple of months. Many people, especially including myself, have become increasingly calloused and just plain wore out from the every day toils challenges thrown at you from all sides. Whether you work for someone else or own a small business like I do, you become beat up to the point where you forget what is truly important. We forget simple joys that come from raising children and celebrating the smallest pleasures and achievements that kids encounter and the part we may or may not have played in their successes. To crack the nut down to the core, most people like me can't see the forest because of the trees! We're beat up. The best we can do, once we realize this, is pledge our unending love and support to people who still have the strength, fortitude and never ending love to help the most precious members of our society, children.
Thank you for your comment! I agree…sometimes we do become so overwhelmed with every day life that the important things tend to get crowded out. I'm so glad you have a daughter & son-in-law who you can support–that's wonderful. Take care!