What does the word respite mean anyway? What comes to my mind is rest, peacefulness,
a break, and thank the Lord!
The dictionary says it means a temporary relief, especially
from anything distressing or trying and I say that definition couldn’t be more
fitting.
One of the Judges that I work with said this to me the other
day, “Rachel, I’m proud of you for taking care of other people’s kids…its hard
enough just taking care of your own.”
And that is precisely why respite is such a necessary thing
for foster parents. Your life changes
when you bring another person or people into your home and that expansion
includes more responsibility, less you time, and a lot more stress.
Every so often we all could use a little respite in life
couldn’t we? And boy do foster families
ever! Even parenting your own kids
drives you nuts sometimes (many times) and that is why “grandparent respite”
also comes in handy =)
So over the last 2 and ½ years I have been so blessed to
meet some of the most wonderful people on this planet after starting this
journey and they are foster parents. I
am NOT referring to myself at all…I mean the ones I have met just seem so
unbelievable and legendary. They are
true servants of God on the front lines doing the dirty work that is so freaking
hard to do!
When they speak about their lives and how they’ve somehow
managed to incorporate a couple of foster children into them…it just blows my
mind.
I had the privilege of meeting a foster mom the other day
"L" and just speaking with her nearly had me in tears. It gives me shivers just thinking about her
story and her life and the sacrifice she had made for so many years…Why do
this? How does she do this? She is AMAZING!!!
"L" I hope that you know that you are changing the
world and that you inspire me...
So back to respite, when I was on my way to bring the boys
James says, “I am the most luckiest kid in the world.” And I ask why? He says, “because I get to live with other
people and visit and stay with other people and play with lots of new kids and
nobody else gets to”.
It’s all about how you look at thing isn’t it? =)
Isaiah 14:3-5In that wonderful day when the Lord gives his people rest from trouble and fear, from slavery and chains, you will taunt your enemy.
You will say: how the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended!
For the Lord has crushed your wicked power
and broken your evil rule.
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