Not Called

Photo by Mattia Ascenzo on Unsplash

I have used the phrase "a calling" many times in reference to fostering or adoption. I mean, after all, it is a huge undertaking and God's will and leading  needs to be in place. I might have been out of place, however, to use the phrase "called".

To say that we are called to something then makes it easy to say that we are NOT called to something. So, if we are "not called" to bring children into our home, are we automatically pardoned of responsibility?  I don't think so. Here are a few points to consider:

1) Children from neglect, trauma, and abuse are a societal issue with which we all must be concerned. It is unfathomable to think of a child fending for themselves for food, care, and love. We all have to work together to take care of the most vulnerable of our society and our world. Because the US is such a developed country, we might be tempted to believe our children are fine. Oh how I wish that were true!  We can no longer take pride that our children are well cared for when so many are being abused, neglected, and starved of both food and love. Our government is spending millions of dollars to help care for our children in need. While I'm so appreciative that we have that kind of support, certainly we cannot just look the other way and let it all be handled by the government. We must look at the kids down the street as well as the children of the world and see the monumental need. The very heart of God and what He deems is "pure and undefiled religion" is to "visit orphans and widows in their trouble". While neither the word "calling" or "command" is used in this passage, we certainly get the idea that the vulnerable are on God's heart and to imitate Him is to care for those in need.


2) While not everyone is equipped to actually bring children into their home, EVERYONE can do SOMETHING. We must do away with the thought that because we "aren't called" then we have no responsibility. We do. There are any number of ways that you can help and support families who have decided to take on the tremendous task of fostering or adoption.
Check out this blog from Jason Johnson who does an amazing job of helping the church see how we can all find our place in this ministry.

http://jasonjohnsonblog.com/blog/wrapping-around-foster-and-adoptive-families

3) Forgive me for being so bold, but if you are using the phrase "I'm just not called", then what you are really saying is...I'm choosing to look the other way. I'm choosing to NOT involve myself in this messy ministry." Because if we see the Bible clearly teaching to run towards children in need, and we choose to run away, then to further use God as your excuse for not helping in some way, shape or form is negating the many, many times He has urged us to meet the needs of children. Our calling is to be obedient...to imitate and pattern our life after the heart of God. I can't help but believe that to see, welcome, and value children would be demonstrating the true character of God. Christian teacher and author, David Platt, says "Even when Jesus' disciples saw children as a nuisance to be avoided, Jesus saw them as a treasure to be welcomed, to be received, to be loved, to be cherished."

Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

It isn't often that I want to present something that could offend or be taken in a negative light.  If you know me, you know that I would literally do anything to keep from hurting or offending you. My sin is enjoying being liked....too much. On a personal level though, bringing in six children from hard places was  over whelming. We needed support and lots of it. I remember the loneliness I felt when trouble and struggles eventually came. I remember well meaning Christian people looking at us as if we were crazy to bring this stress upon ourselves. That culture simply MUST change.  As a church, we have to normalize bringing in children from hard places. We have to train our nursery workers and Sunday School teachers how to love and care for children from trauma. The statistics are not heading in a downhill turn. The numbers rise each year. Please, pause for just a moment and sincerely ask God what part you need to play. If and when He gives you a clear answer that you are to do absolutely nothing ...then I suppose you can truly say "not called."

Are you home bound? Commit to pray.

Are you a pastor? Preach and teach on this and welcome those who are caring for this need.

Are you a student? Befriend a foster child.

Are you a teacher? Be patient and learn all that you can about trauma behaviors.

Are you a parent? Take your wealth of parenting experience and become a foster parent.

You get the idea. We all have a place. When it comes to caring for the most susceptible, the most tender, the most unguarded, doesn't it make sense that we are all called?

Every wound healed. Every child, a home.