We had two amazing little boys with us for the summer through foster care. We loved them and were privileged to care for them, but also had to face a hard reality that once Andrea went back to teaching there would be no way we could keep up with work, school, and leading a church.
We thought they would be more settled in after three months, that we’d have a good routine going, that it would get easier in some regard, but that didn’t turn out to be the case. It was an excruciating decision that we went back and forth on many times, but in the end you can only do as much as you can then you have to allow someone else an opportunity to run where you can’t.
Almost two weeks ago we dropped them off to a new family. It’s not the first time we’ve had to let children go and it genuinely never gets easier. We (not to mention the family and friends who helped and cared for them) loved these boys completely, but now we get to take a different position.
We will pray.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you again for these boys. It wasn’t by accident that these little guys came into our home. I thank you for the privilege of loving them, caring for them, watching over, and protecting them. It was certainly frustrating at times for various reasons, but You touched our hearts deeply in reaching out.
They have moved to another home so I pray your peace and love and presence would flow through that home in indescribable measure. I pray you give them wisdom and strength to meet every challenge. Give them patience to guide these boys, and may joy overflow in even the smallest of triumphs.
Lord, I can’t watch over their coming and going, their emotional and mental well-being, their hearts and lives—but You can. These boys are not accidents or burdens. You painstakingly and lovingly formed them in their mother’s womb and mapped out a wonderful destiny for them. I know You will be faithful to complete it. It was painful to say good-bye, but I pray the love we were able to shower on them will stay with them for a lifetime.
Wherever they may go next, I ask that your peace and love continue to surround them. Let them grow in full faith and assurance of their place in the world and Your heart. May the people in their lives build them up and not tear them down. May they have strong guidance and wise counselors. May sufficient grace meet every lack that they may face.
They were called ours for just a moment, but we’ll hold them in our hearts for a lifetime. With thanksgiving, we think of them often and pray the greatest of blessings. Give them strength to overcome every obstacle in their path. Let them know You as their Refuge and Salvation. May they experience the life and relationship with Jesus that will change everything forever.
I pray these things not only for ‘our’ boys but for every child who finds themselves in foster care tonight, through no fault of their own, sleeping in someone else’s bed, following someone else’s rules, and hopefully receiving the love they deserve.
These are precious jewels. You care for the widow, orphan, and alien–the displaced, abused, and afflicted. May we feel your love for them even more deeply and in an experiential reality.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I also added this post to 
Tiffany Stuart’s Sweet P’s blog carnival. Click the link to check out all the entries of prayer, petition, and praise.
Would you pray with me?
36 Comments
Amen. bro.
Michael recently posted..I Dare Me
Thanks Michael.
I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you and Andrea. God bless you both.
Helen recently posted..The Green Police
It is difficult, but there is more than enough grace. Thank you Helen.
Will be praying for their continued development and protection. Will be praying for your peace in the process.
May God continue to work in each of your lives.
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..Step up!
Thanks Dusty. We all appreciate it.
That must have been very difficult.
Great prayer from a great heart = His Love
Praying for you and the boys.
Thanks so much, Jay. I appreciate it.
Remember when you told me your kids’ names to put on my mirror? They’re still there. Including these two boys. Only now, there’s a little box around their names. After I heard they were leaving you, I walked into my bathroom and looked at their names on the mirror and thought, “Lord, they need prayer more now than ever!” So, they’re on the mirror until God tells me differently. And yes, you, Andrea, and your other kids are still on there, too. And just above your name, I added “Juneau.” I’m starting to think I need a bigger mirror…
Sarah Salter recently posted..Perfection- A Repost
I’m glad you’re still praying for them, and if you didn’t want to get a bigger mirror, you could invest in some tape and put them on your wall.
Thanks Sarah.
Tape on my wall?! Oh, Jason! Mark up my pristine walls with tape? My mirrors are one thing… But my walls? Oh, mercy…
Sarah Salter recently posted..Perfection- A Repost
I didn’t say duct tape! Whatever’s left from scotch tape is pretty easy to remove. Just sayin’.
I just can’t do it. I’ve lived in my house for 3.5 years and still haven’t hung a picture. And you wouldn’t believe the miracles that I can do with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Just sayin’.
Sarah Salter recently posted..Perfection- A Repost
I have a small understanding of how you feel man. A close friend of mine at church is involved in foster care and they’ve adopted. They get little ones for a short period and we all get attached to them before they move on to the next place (or prayerfully back home).
Just know that the seeds that you sow in the short time they are with you will last a lifetime. Thank you for putting your faith in action and caring for the orphan (James 1:17).
Thank you Tony. I appreciate that. Also, it can’t be underscored enough how other adults’ love and care for these kids is so important. Thanks for doing your part too! Blessings.
I’m so sad about this! I can’t even imagine the heartbreak of letting go like that. So glad that you and Andrea are strong enough to know when it’s too much for you and to do something about it. Praying that those little ones will remember how loved they are by you both.
Wendy recently posted..Happy Birthday Helen!
Thank you Wendy. They are still in town for now and once they get settled enough with the new family we hope to be able to see them again. It’s such a delicate balance for now. Heartbreaking, but God is in control of all of it.
Thank you again for your prayers and encouragement!
I’m sorry for your family and the two boys have to go through this. Are they now with a family where they can stay for a long time before they can go back to their own family? Foster means they can go back to their own parents, right?
Yes, that’s what foster means, but we just don’t know how everything will work (parents making right choices, etc.). We keep praying though! God holds them close. I do know that. Thank you Ani.
Thanks, I needed to know that. Okay, I will pray for the right family for them for a long time so they don’t have to switch every time, God knows best. Praying for the boys and for you all. Bye bye.
I’m just a kid so I have no words, except, I’ll be praying for you.
You’re JUST a kid? Nah. I do appreciate the prayers though. Thanks, DS.
that’s incredible. letting go of children that you’ve grown that close to seems impossible. you guys are strong and doing an amazing thing. ballin.
Thank you Tyler. Appreciate it.
Hi Jason,
Praying God’s blessings of love, grace and peace upon you, your wife and these two young boys.
MTJ
Thank you so much, MTJ.
Amen, Jason. What a gift the love and time your family gave to these boys. I know GOD used every ounce you and yours poured out.
I love your heart of prayer for these precious boys and all those in foster care and beyond, like the widow and orphan.
Thank you so much for linking this prayer to Sweet P’s. It’s personal and powerful and right in alignment with the heart of our Father.
Have a blessed holiday weekend. Go rest and trust you made the right decision even as hard as it was. God holds these boys in His hand. His grip remains secure no matter what.
Peace, brother.
Tiffany Stuart recently posted..Sweet Ps- Prayer- Petition and Praise
Thank you, Tiffany. I appreciate that. Blessings to you as well.
Praying for you and your family as you release them into His care.
Jan Parrish recently posted..Praying for a Miracle
I appreciate that, Jan. Thank you and God bless…
What a heartfelt prayer…a prayer that God has heard and is already in the process of answering…of that you can be certain. Thank you for your vulnerability in investing your lives to two boys who desperately needed somebody to love them as Christ does…expecting nothing in return.
Debbie recently posted..Tu Fidelidad
Thanks so much, Debbie. I believe He will most definitely answer these prayers. He is so good and gracious to us. Blessings…
Thanks for being a foster parent. I have thought of doing that but ??
Kim recently posted..Sweet Ps Friday
Praying with you brother, and for you.
Denise recently posted..Sweet Ps-Prayers- Petitions & Praise
Prayers for those boys. Fostering is not easy and it takes a special family. God bless.
Lily recently posted..Fearless Financial Friday
Kim, Denise, and Lily- thank you so much. God bless.