We foster a teen mom.
In order to get to this point God had to do a work in my heart.
He had to bring me to a point of compassion.
Then he placed an opportunity in front of me.
I had the choice to say no or say "YES God"
Last Thursday we received confirmation of the question that has been lingering....will she age out.
I knew that was highly likely, but like every other case, things can change quickly, at anytime, with no warning. But things can also keep going as they are.
In my fear I began googling.
"Foster teen aging out"
"How to find a mentor for foster teen aging out"
Let me tell you, these do not give very warm readings.
Instead you read facts like:
*12-30% will become homeless
*40-60% will not finish high school
*25-55% are unemployed
*18-26% incarcerated
Not what a mama heart wants to read as she is trying how to best spend the next year. ONE year. That's all I've got. One year to prepare her. One year to do my best for her to be ready.
I wanted to find blogs, blogs by christian women encouraging me that this isn't as scary as it feels. That she will succeed. That struggles will knock on another door.
I did not find any blogs. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough or maybe
1. Couples fostering teens are too old and don't get the blogging world
....I should do it
2. Couples who are fostering teens are so undone they don't know where to begin
....I should do it
3. Couples who are fostering teens are just as scared and lost
....I should do it
There are so many reasons.
Reasons why this is scary & feels too much.
Reasons why this is exactly why people would rather protect their own hearts than face this with a child not of their blood.
This counts for the teens moms. The teens with the bad music. And the pro level eye rolling. This is for the one who just got out of JDC. And the one who won't let you in.
In order to get to this point God had to do a work in my heart.
He had to bring me to a point of compassion.
Then he placed an opportunity in front of me.
I had the choice to say no or say "YES God"
Last Thursday we received confirmation of the question that has been lingering....will she age out.
I knew that was highly likely, but like every other case, things can change quickly, at anytime, with no warning. But things can also keep going as they are.
In my fear I began googling.
"Foster teen aging out"
"How to find a mentor for foster teen aging out"
Let me tell you, these do not give very warm readings.
Instead you read facts like:
*12-30% will become homeless
*40-60% will not finish high school
*25-55% are unemployed
*18-26% incarcerated
Not what a mama heart wants to read as she is trying how to best spend the next year. ONE year. That's all I've got. One year to prepare her. One year to do my best for her to be ready.
I wanted to find blogs, blogs by christian women encouraging me that this isn't as scary as it feels. That she will succeed. That struggles will knock on another door.
I did not find any blogs. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough or maybe
1. Couples fostering teens are too old and don't get the blogging world
....I should do it
2. Couples who are fostering teens are so undone they don't know where to begin
....I should do it
3. Couples who are fostering teens are just as scared and lost
....I should do it
There are so many reasons.
Reasons why this is scary & feels too much.
Reasons why this is exactly why people would rather protect their own hearts than face this with a child not of their blood.
Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. -James 1:26-27
This counts for the teens moms. The teens with the bad music. And the pro level eye rolling. This is for the one who just got out of JDC. And the one who won't let you in.
Please do! ! We host safe family teen moms and can use all the advice you've got! Solidarity!
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