97

97 that is the number of children waiting for foster homes last night in our local shelter.
97 children sleeping in a shelter
97 children who have been separated from all that is familiar to them
97 children who have endured enough trauma to be removed from their family, only to find out there is no safe, loving home where they can sleep tonight.
97 children are afraid, lonely, and possibly petrified tonight.

This number breaks my heart and makes me pray for a mansion of a house.

This number makes me wonder, what is happening in this world?

I think about my nieces and nephew and the fact that I would fight hell and high water to keep them from seeing the inside of a shelter.

Where are the Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents of those 97 children?

Maybe they are on their way to pick them up, or maybe they don't know they are there.

I previously worried that we wouldn't get a foster child right away, now I worry that we won't be licensed soon enough.

I feel sad that we can only help two at a time for now. I feel sad for the teenagers who are probably awake right now and wondering if they will have a family before they turn 18. I feel sad for the younger children who wonder why they are there, and where did mommy go?
God is breaking my heart for children I have never even met. He is opening my eyes to the extent of need that has been right under my nose.

God reminded me today of why I want to be a Foster Parent. I had not forgotten, but I was starting to be afraid. He showed me today that he doesn't have time for me to be afraid. Those children do not have time for me to worry if I am good enough.

God is good enough and he will show them that through us.

God is Love and I hope to be the vehicle he uses to demonstrate his love to as many children as he has in store for us.

If you are my friend and you are reading this, when you see me start to slip, get down, or begin to worry. Remind me of the number 97.