I Will Love You With My “Yes”

I Will Love You With My “Yes”

He called and I answered. I answered hesitantly at first because all I could think about was how this would change the dynamics of our family. I thought about how much I would have to give of myself, how tired I would be on top of all the responsibilities I already have with three birth daughters. However, I couldn’t deny the compelling feeling in my heart. I was being called to serve The Lord through foster care.

The truth is, serving others in any way, in any type of ministry is inconvenient, but it’s also selfless. Serving takes the focus off of “me” and what I want. Serving shifts the focus onto others and how love can be shown to them through helping in various ways. When God calls us to serve another in a specific way and we say “yes”, we are loving Christ with our obedience.

Mathew 22:37-39 NIV
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.


One year ago, I did say “yes” to what God was calling me to do. I didn’t have a clue what all that would entail. I didn’t know how hard it would be. I didn’t know what all I would have to do. What I did know is that I wanted to be obedient. What I did know is how much God has given to me, so why shouldn’t I give back? I recognize (but can’t fully comprehend) the extent of the unselfish, reckless love that has been given to me from my Heavenly Dad! How could I not share that kind of love with others? One of many ways, is through foster care and being an advocate for those with special needs.
After months of classes and protocols, our home was open to foster in March 2019. We received 11 calls that our family said “yes” to, but the various babies were placed through other agencies. I knew that was for a reason and trusted God would place who He wanted in our home. There was a divine plan and there is always purpose in what is allowed.

Then, 10 weeks ago I said “yes” once again and a placement was finally made. I had the privilege of speaking to our lil’ guys birth mom before he was placed in our home. She shared some of her story so transparently, yet so humbly. She, too, is in foster care. She is only 2 years older than my oldest daughter and had been dealt a life harder than most of ours. When I spoke to her, no condemnation and no judgement was spoken to her. It was like God was using me as a conduit to speak life, love, and hope into her. She was spoken to with respect because she deserves no less. Her son is a sweet lil’ boy with blond hair and blue eyes. He is so smart and such a beautiful child that even his cry will make you smile because he’s just that cute!

During the ten weeks he’s been in our home, I’ve been in various MD offices and hospitals with him anywhere from 1-3 times a week for various reasons.

Our lil’ guy was admitted into the hospital several weeks ago. I was told he would have to spend 3-10 days there. Of course my husband was out of the state on TDY at the time. I have a 15, 13, and 3 year old and no living family to help. It was hard but, I drove back and forth from the city I live in and where he was hospitalized. Little did I know that there was a divine plan involved and another purpose was about to be revealed.

I had the privilege of meeting our lil’ guy’s birth mom during that hospital stay. She was able to stay the nights there while I had to go back to my kids at home. During the days, we were able to have sweet talks and share our stories.
A week later, during another hospital stay, I had the opportunity to witness and share Christ with her. I told her she can break chains! Little did I know exactly what that meant for her. She is apart of three generations that have been and are currently in foster care.

She desires to come to church and
I couldn’t be happier to pick her up and for us to go together. We have done this for the last two weeks and I enjoy the deep conversations of life, hope, and love during the two hours round trip on Sundays now.
We all have a purpose and I look forward to seeing how God will use this young lady and break those chains, IF she is willing to SURRENDER with her “yes”.
Ministry can be in various forms and come about in the most unconventional, unexpected ways, but that is how God works... IF we are willing to LOVE Him with our “yes”.