9.29.2012

Exposing the Lies of Fear

Today, I came face to face with beauty - hard, mucky beauty.

This weekend we were invited to a round of four birthday parties. No, we are not popular; we simply have six kids.

My favorite party - no offense - was our new friend *Buddy's* party.

Buddy has the precious gift of being cared for my new fostering friend Erin. Little Buddy and my Daniel turn five only days apart.

It was a laid back affair at the park, and my boys broke just about every toy. But, this party was different.

You see, Erin invited Buddy's Momma.

If you could have seen the moment when Momma walked through the parking lot...if you could have seen her face; his face as he ran and threw those little brown hands around her neck; if you could had seen Erin's face.

It was sacred.

Erin could have chosen to fear, and not a soul on earth would have blamed her.

But Erin knew, fear is a lie. And the only way to expose that lie of darkness is with the light of truth...


Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. - John 8:32

I sat and talked with Momma for a bit. Her face glowed. No, things aren't perfectly smooth. I can only imagine how her heart was heaving...and, I know from experience the lump that most likely clutched Erin's throat.

But, they did it. 

Erin extended the hand of the gospel and danced with a Momma who had lost hope, who had thought her story was over.

Her response when I asked her; she said she now knows there's a God watching out for her. She said Erin is the greatest gift God could have ever given her and her family in this moment because for the first time in a long time, they have hope.

Erin could have claimed this day for herself, and no one would have asked.

But, she chose the mess; the beautiful mess. She exposed light to the lie of fear.

And the fighting dance of the gospel continues...

You fought
but you were just too weak
so you lost
all the things you try to keep
now you're on your knees, you're on your knees

But wait,
everything can change,
in a moment's time 
you don't have to be afraid,
cause fear is just a lie
open up your eyes

And He'll break
open the skies to save
those who cry out his name
the one the winds and waves obey
He's strong enough to save you

Look
now is not too late
lift up your head
let the rain fall on your face
you're not far from grace, your not too far from grace

And he'll break
open the skies to save
those who cry out his name
the one the wind and waves obey
He's strong enough to save you

I know the weight of this world can take you down like 
gravity and I know the current of yourself can take you 
out, out to sea but hold on, hold on

And he'll break
open the stars to save
those who cry out his name
the one the wind and waves obey
He's strong enough to save you.

- Strong Enough to Save, Third Avenue North

1 comment:

  1. I'm so happy to hear that Erin stepped out of fear and into the light. We have been inviting birth families into our family ever since we began this journey 30 years ago (with my parents). (Makes holidays quite interesting!)
    In fact, we provide a special dinner or day for each family and their birth family for Christmas (and sometimes thanksgiving). A time when our two families join together but with the focus on the birth family and their children. We try to honor as many of their family traditions as possible - both on this special day and as part of our holiday celebrations.

    I encourage all who foster and even those that adopt older kids to consider sharing your lives with the families of these children. It's messy. And it doesn't always yield great results, but it is always worth the try.

    7 years ago, we worked fostered two boys for almost 2 years. During the entire time, we kept a daily relationship with the parents (allowing them to discipline and encourage by phone daily and see them as often as they could) as we worked to get the family together again. Yesterday, I received my 5th phone call of the week from the boys and their parents. Even after this long, they check in several times a week to keep me updated and let me know about their lives. They all love our family and we are so grateful that we were able to participate in this miraculous process.

    ReplyDelete