Isaiah 54-A Calling
I am a pastor, and for several years have been hearing a nudge from God that I should look into fostering. I recently moved into a house that meets the requirements, and this nudging became even stronger, but as a single adult with a more than full time job I was asking, "Really God??? Really!" As part of my prayer I asked God to respond to this question, and kept hearing a whisper back to me, "Look at Isaiah 54." I said, "No God... I want a sign." And the response came again, "Look at Isaiah 54." I took out my Bible and saw the following words:
"Sing, O barren one who did not bear;
burst into song and shout,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate woman will be more
than the children of her that is married, says God
Enlarge the site of your tent,
and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out." (NRSV)
And so my training began! Any time I began to feel anxious I returned to this passage and felt a sense of peace wash over me. A month ago I received my first placement: a 13 year old boy. This month has been a great transition for us both as we get to know each other, and I have felt supported from every angle. He is beginning to look at this as long term and feels comfortable with me, and it feels like he has been around forever. Some days, of course, I am the worst ever parent for sending him to bed, but he is adjusting well, and I know that God has placed him in my life for us both to grow and learn and heal. We are both hoping this will be a long-term placement, and he often asks questions like, "So when I'm 18 will you let me ride a motorcycle?"
