This is the story of why people don’t foster. It is a story of hurt, pain, trauma, rescue, love and restoration. Yet in the midst of all of that, the future is unclear. After almost a year with our little foster daughter, tomorrow a judge will decide the long-term direction of her life.
The Background:
My entire family was picking up my son from school one day last fall when my cell phone rang. It was one of those phone calls we had received many times before. A family had blown up, and there were kids now without a home. Could we help? We had 5 minutes to decide.
Our instructions were clear: Don’t take this little girl if we weren’t willing to someday adopt her. This girl’s situation was different than others we had received. There were long-term consequences to certain actions from those closest to her. It didn’t look like this family could be put back together again. If we agreed to receive her, then we were agreeing to receive her for the rest of her life if it came to that.
We got home, circled up our kids and prayed for God’s wisdom. They were certain we needed to take her. We were too. We said yes, and she was at our house just a few hours later.
This past year has been filled with so many memories. We’ve changed diapers, cut up chicken and sandwiches, and learned more about hair product and lotion. We’ve gone to the beach, to the snow, to the east coast and the gulf coast. We’ve been to the doctors, the therapists, the dentists and the specialists. We’ve laughed, danced, played, swam, sang, hurt and cried…together.
Needless to say, our hearts have become united together.
But tomorrow in court here in East Texas, a judge will let us know what the future holds for this little girl.
Today’s Reality:
After a year of her being in our care, tomorrow the judge will have to make a tough decision. Will she extend the case an additional six months, or will she send it to trial the following week?
On one hand you have a mom who loves her and a few therapists that think she should have more time to get her act together. On the other you have other experts who see the adverse effects of dragging this little girl between two worlds, and how it keeps her heart on tilt.
We have prayed that God will grant wisdom to this judge.
Our prayer is not that we would get what we want. If that were the case, we would simply be praying that she land in our home. There is a fine line between praying for what we think is best for her, and just praying that we would get what we selfishly want. God loves her far more than we do. He is in control, and we trust Him. We want our hearts to align with His, and so we fight now, in the spiritual realm.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
(Ephesians 6:12 ESV)
The biological mom in this case is not the enemy. Her attorney is not the enemy. The devil is the enemy, and he wants to destroy this little girl.
Would you please pray that God give this judge wisdom as she makes a judgement on this case? We would greatly appreciate it. I’ll be sure to let everyone know what happens soon.
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Father, In the matchless name of your Son Jesus Christ, we thank you for men in this world like Minister Kevin East and Lord we need more who has the heart and desire to do exactly what he’s doing with the Orpaned, poor and needy. Jesus, You said that All authority in Heaven and on earth is ordained of you. We thank You Daddy right now in the Name Of Jesus, for being the Lawyer/Judge in the courtrooms throughout America and we thank You in advance for Favor especially on the behalf of these little ones whose names are on their documents. Refresh Kevin’s Family Spirit for refreshing the lives of others, In Jesus Name, Amen.
Thank you, Frederick.
Kevin, our prayers are with you and your family. Please Lord answer these prayers and the prayers of everyone who loves this family. I pray this in the holy and powerful name of Jesus Christ who did it all for us already. He won the battle! Amen
Amen and amen. We sure appreciate it, Dave.
Keven, I’ll be praying for the little one and the judge. i remember Isaiah 1:17 that God will defend on her behalf. we will plead our Father, that HE will give wisdom to the Judge.
Sampath, Hyderabad, INDIA
All the way from India…
Thank you for this reminder and for praying.
We circled up and prayed for your sweet girl! Will continue to send prayers for you all.
Many thanks to your family for doing this.
Praying!
Thank you, Tiffany.
East Family,
We have been in this situation twice in the last few years so we understand the emotions. We are praying for your family, your foster daughter, and all involved. We pray that no matter the outcome that one day both your foster daughter and her birth mom will experience the peace, grace, and love of Jesus.
You nailed it. That is our prayer as well. We’ve never wanted to be the “wanna be saviors” that come riding in on our horse to ‘steal’ some little girl.
God loves this mom as well, and wants us to be an ambassador of His grace to her as well.
Thank you.
If the Devil would go to such lengths to fight for her very life, the Lord must have incredible plans for her future…and we know that in the end the Lord wins every time. Regardless of the outcome, I know your family will cover her in prayer throughout her lifetime, like she is your very own. Don’t underestimate the power of that.
Been in a similar place with foster siblings past & deeply grieved having to say goodbye to girls promised to us forever, but nearly 10 years later we’re still seeing unbelievable fruit and salvation in her life & her family’s life. It has been so much sweeter than we asked or imagined, even though at the time it hurt more than I could even put into words. Praying that she will be with you forever, and unbelievably confident that He has a plan far greater than we can imagine for her life. Ps 25:20 — May he guard her life, rescue her & be a sweet refuge to her always.
Amen to that. Thank you, Mallory.
We will pray for the Lord’s Will to be done for your daughter!
We would love to do foster care…..but since we have 6 blessings in our home…..new law here in Calif. passed in 2010 says we have reached our limit! Please pray that this law goes away! Would love to foster or adopt more – Lord-Willing!!
Wow. I had no idea there was such a law.
That blows me away that somehow the government thinks 6 is the magic and final number. Surely there should be a way to look at objective standards for such a decision as opposed to a blanket law. Interesting.
Well, it’s just Satan’s way of getting in places where he knows that he doesn’t belong! We did not know that there was such a law either. Until we started to try and foster again. Our youngest is 9. Our house is big & we have empty rooms….so my husband said it was time to start…..then the county said NO! Then our son (bless is heart) said he would move down the street with his older brother if that would help……we said no thank you….:)
We will keep on praying for the Lord’s Will to be done and that law to GO AWAY!!!
Keep us updated on your daughter….:o)
Praying now. Thank you Sovereign God. You’ve got this plan. You know the beginning, middle and victorious end to this precious little girl’s life story. Give the judge the wisdom of one who trembles in fear of you, Lord. Send peace and celebration to the hearts of Keven, Stephanie and their children, and all their extended family who celebrate when they celebrate and grieve when they grieve. Be glorified and magnified this day so we can see your sovereign hand in the outcome of the court decision.
“Peace and celebration…” Yep, that pretty much sums it up. Thanks.
The Jervis’ and the Bluffs are praying for you guys!
Thanks Taylor.
Praying that the judge will read and follow through on James 1:5; and that through your prayers, that the peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Praying for you and your family, Opie.
-Bumper
Blast from the past. Good to hear from you. Thanks for praying.