When I Want to Give Up, I Remember...

When I want to give up on foster parenting, I remember…

When I want to give up, I remember… This is about them, not me. These kids didn’t ask for any of this. My “hard” is nothing compared to theirs. I can do hard things for them.

When I want to give up, I remember… Healing takes time. These kids need consistency—over and over, again and again. Just because I can’t see the fruit yet doesn’t mean its not growing under the surface.

When I want to give up, I remember… I’m called to obedience, not outcomes. I don’t get to control where the case goes, how a child responds, or what the future looks like. But I do get to love with open hands and trust that God is working through my yes.

When I want to give up, I remember… Jesus doesn’t quit on me. He walked through pain, betrayal, and sacrifice for me. He stayed. He stays. So I lean on His strength when I feel weak. I don’t have to be enough—I just have to show up and let Him work through me.

When I want to give up, I remember… This is kingdom work. This is bigger than case plans and court dates. This is defending the vulnerable, standing in the gap, and living out the Gospel in real time. That’s not something I want to give up on.

It’s been 11 years, and I still struggle, wanting to give up on this foster parenting thing. But when I want to give up, I remember & remind & reorient to what I actually hold true.