The benefits and blessings of foster care far outweigh the sacrifices. Be sure, however, that you are well aware of the sacrifices that investing in foster care will mean for you and your family. It will require time, money, energy, love, and commitment. And don't be fooled - foster care will likely require much more than you could even calculate now.
Allow yourself to think about all of the great things that come from foster care. First and foremost, think about the lives of the children that are in need of loving and solid homes to spend time in. Can you imagine being a child without a safe place to call home? There is perhaps nothing greater than giving up part of your home and your energy to help a child or children who are in need. What a blessing for a child to be in foster care and placed in a home filled with fun and encouragement.
Participating in foster care can also be a huge blessing to you and your family. Taking in a child or children in need will fill your life with a great sense of purpose and love like you may have never experienced. What a special thing to make your life bigger than yourself by caring for a child. You and your family will learn and grow closer together because of foster care. While it is never easy to include someone new in your family, foster care can be a great way to strengthen relationships and learn to appreciate the blessings you have been given.
For couples who have ever considered adopting a child or children into their family, foster care can be a great trial run to see how your family will adjust the addition of a new member in a less permanent way. Consider trying foster care for a few months or a year as you try to decide about adoption. One of the hardest but best things about foster care is that it does not require a long term commitment. Many foster care parents enjoy it so much that they take in child after child into their family.
If you are interested in determining if you and your family would do well at foster care, take some time to research the options in your area. Explore the possibilities and see if foster care might be the perfect way to reach out to your community, help a needy child, and strengthen your own family all at once.
