I hope to have made a difference

Although I am single, the dream of being a foster parent never left me . . .

Growing up, it was always my dream to be a foster parent, but I never thought it was possible in the culture I grew up in. In 2007 my parents and I decided to move to Strathmore, Alberta, a suburb of Calgary, and we started a new life here with the hope and assurance that God would provide. 

Although I am single, the dream of being a foster parent never left me, so about a year after we moved my mom and I went to a foster parent meeting. My heart was broken; I really wished there was something I could do. I came out of that meeting strongly feeling in my heart that this was what I wanted to do with my life.

I came home and told my family I wanted to foster children, but I did not want them to do it for me; I wanted their hearts to be burdened like mine was. But at that time I felt I didn’t have my family’s 100 per cent support. I prayed, “God, if this is Your will for my life, please show me clearly how to go about this.” Looking back now, I know it wasn’t the right time for me yet either. 

In the fall of 2011 our church held a foster care/adoption awareness event. I remember my heart crying out to God, “God, if this is Your will for my life, please let it happen, or take this desire to serve You in that area of life away from me.” A few days later we were sitting at the supper table and out of the blue my dad asked me why I was not following that dream. I told Mom and Dad I felt that if I didn’t have their support, then fostering wouldn’t work for our family. My parents assured me that they were ready and would support me on our journey in foster care.

Nine months later we signed off on the papers at 8 a.m. At 4 p.m. that same day God placed a precious princess in our home. Two weeks later her sister joined us. We could not love these girls more if they were our flesh and blood. God has blessed us so much by allowing us to love and cherish them for however long He has them in our care. 

It’s not always easy to be a foster parent. Sometimes we are tempted to take the situation out of God’s hands and then have to surrender it back to Him – hourly some days. But we have to tell ourselves that the Creator of these precious lives loves them more than we ever could. He holds them in the palm of His hand. We would love to become the forever family for these beautiful girls, but for now we wait to see what God has planned for us and for them.

There are so many people who support us in this journey. We couldn’t do what we do without our family, friends and church. Most of all, for us, this is about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We say to the Lord often, “Jesus, this isn’t about us. This is about You, the Creator of everything. We are so blessed to have You in our lives, to know that even though we don’t always trust, You know the future. You see the big picture, we don’t. You can work in people’s lives when they fully trust in You and You alone. We don’t do this for earthly praise; we do it because we hope to make a difference!”

 

Jacki is a foster mom in the Calgary area.