The Road to You

Proverbs 11:25 MSG

This past year (2023) I would say we entered the year with a good amount weighing on us as a family. There were things we were facing as a family and individually. I don’t think many would have faulted us for saying, “We are focusing on us, and getting everyone in our household to their best spot. We are not saying yes to anyone outside of that.” However, that’s just not how our family operates. We find that we really are at our best, when we are focusing on the needs of others.

Proverbs 11:25 has rung true for our family over and over again, and last year I think it was most evident to me. While one of our forever children was really struggling and needing “something good to look forward to,” we said yes to a 11 year old boy. This young man would be with us at least one weekend a month as we were to be a “resource family” for him. This awesome young man lives on a daily basis in a Christian family situation, at a place called Big Oak Ranch.

Over the span of a year this young man celebrated his actual birthday in our home on one of his weekend visits. He has been on a spur of the minute “big kids only” Six Flags over Georgia visit. We have kicked footballs barefoot in the front yard during a rain storm (yes my foot was bruised from that…but it was worth it). We have loved on two different sweet babies, who had been placed in foster care, while our new son was here. We have ridden go-carts together. We have tried new foods together. We have wrapped his rolled ankle from a trampoline injury. We have welcomed home new pet birds, and kittens. All of this was experienced together. Like a family. Because we are his new family, and he is our new family member. We think of him when we are away on trips. We plan what we are going to do when he comes. We wonder if he will like what we plan. In all of that we aren’t thinking about ourselves, and that in itself is pretty refreshing. When you are aiming to bless someone else, it really does bring new life into you. Thinking of him leaves us feeling like we matter, because we are able to bring something good to someone else on the planet. Thinking of him brings us joy, because it does bring joy to you when you are able to provide a feeling of joy to someone else. In short, thinking of him, is good for us. It’s like God knew what He was saying when he inspired the writing of the bible.

I know that it is hard to say yes to more, when you aren’t sure you are even doing well with what you have already been given. However, if God prompts you. If it doesn’t quite make sense, but your heart feels pulled. If your in house family is all on board. Say yes. Reach out to someone who could use more support. Next thing you know you may feel more blessed than you could have ever imagined.

I opened my phone today, and I saw a playlist made by my 13 year old daughter. The playlist is named, “Songs that ____ likes.” My daughter paid attention to the songs he requested in the car, and she made a play list just for him.

When he comes we always have is favorite snack food on hand for him to grab. He isn’t picky. He eats anything we cook up. However, there is one go to snack that he will always grab if we have it, so we always aim to have it.

It’s so much fun to be his people.

I know you would love him, but too bad he is ours. There are plenty more people out there waiting. Kids. Adults. Widows. There are plenty of avenues for you to get involved in reaching out a hand, or walking alongside. Food pantries. Nursing home visits. Writing cards to those who have found themselves incarcerated. Children in foster care who need a safe place to call home for a time period. Children waiting for adoption. A single parent neighbor who needs help with the yard work or house maintenance. My sister, said yes to keeping my two oldest kids for almost a week (that’s us coming home to them in the featured picture). Do you know how refreshing it was to get time with my husband and no kids?! (The younger two were kept by grandparents.) Do you know how often our biggest two ask to have that time away with their aunt again?! We were all refreshed by her yes. Knowing all my kids were well cared for let me get away with my husband and truly enjoy it! That time away was crucial and allowed us to keep doing what we do on a daily basis. Her yes, was impactful for all the yeses we say in our home.

Your yes, to taking someone dinner, or babysitting for an evening or a few days could be of a much greater impact than you realize. Ask God to show you who. Then, when He does. Say yes, to Him and them. You won’t regret it. You never know what your kind deed may do for a person, and I guarantee it will bless you to be able to be the hands that God used.

Here are links to a few volunteer options:

Interested in becoming a Big Oak Ranch resource parent? Click here. (Alabama)

Interested in foster parenting? Click here.

Volunteer at a local store that serves foster children and their families. (Birmingham, Alabama)

Food pantry opportunities?