"Happy Mother's Day!"

Tomorrow night, I'll have foster mama training class #3 of 9.  Yesterday, I walked with my new friend Kristin in a 5K to raise awareness for foster care.  Tuesday, my team at school is hosting a "foster kid shower" for me at school.  Today is Mother's Day.  I received "Happy Mother's Day!" texts from friends and family, and several enthusiastic "Happy Mother's Day!" from friends at church.  As I reflect on what has happened since that day in October 2011 when the Lord whispered His Heart's desires to me, I have one thought.  Only God.  Only God could write this story - a story about a "100% Jesus Girl", whose only desire is to live fully in His will - even though she sometimes feels ill equipped, alone, and scared to death.  Yet, she is willing to step out in faith, and be obedient to His calling - fully knowing that He will fully equip her (Hebrews 13:21), always be by her side (Psalm 139:7-10), and abolish all of her fear (2 Timothy 1:7).  Only God, indeed. 

The Word says that every day of my life was ordained before I was even born (Psalm 139:16).  That means that He already knows the exact kids I will have in my home.  On this Mother's Day, will you join me in praying for those kids and their birth moms?  I fully believe that my ministry in foster care is one thing, and one thing only - to be the love of Jesus for the families that the Lord has already chosen to be a part of my life through foster care.  Will you begin to pray now that their hearts will be open to hear The Good News?  And that I will, at all times, be a vessel that the Lord can use (2 Timothy 2:20-21)?

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms reading these words!  Your children arise, and call you blessed (Proverbs 31:28)!  Walk out your motherhood each day fully knowing and believing that the God Who created you has fully equipped you, will always be by your side, and abolishes all of your fears.  AMEN!  xxoo

This is the assigned moment...

Tonight, the very assignment that the Lord designed for me before I was even formed in my mother's womb begins.  It baffles my little pea-sized mind.  For the past few weeks at church, the messages have focused on discovering our God-designed purpose. The Lord has whispered His plans for years, but it took shouting for me to finally hear His voice.  He has been saying to me for quite some time, "more of ME Steph - less of you".  You see, I grew up an only child - just me and my mama.  I am almost 40 and have never been married. I haven't had a roommate in many years.  I am selfish.  I am most of the time "all about me".  As a follower of Christ, "all about me" does. not. work.  Actually, it does. not. exist.  The gospel calls us to love God and love OTHERS.  John 3:30 in The Message says it like this:  "This is the assigned moment for Him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines." God is calling me beyond myself.  And I don't like it.  And it's scary.  And it's uncomfortable.  And it's unknown.  And it's His heart.

I have always wondered "why am I living and breathing on this planet?"  About two years ago, I just flat out asked the Lord "what is the ministry You have for me?"  I sat there in the quiet and waited until I heard His answer.  I heard Him say "babies and children".  I work with children every day, but that answer still surprised me.  I knew He did not mean my daily job, so I was unsure of what that entailed.  Honestly, I dismissed it.  Two years later, He reminded me - and spoke loudly and clearly this time.  Sitting in the sanctuary at The Church at Brook Hills, listening to 23 year old Katie Davis speak, His plan for me was revealed.  He wants me to be a foster mama.  A single, tired, money-stretched, 40 year old mama to a child I do not know.  Webster's dictionary defines "foster" as this:  sharing nurture or parental care, though not related by blood or legal ties.  Honestly, I am not even a good Aunt to my own nieces and nephews.  But yet - God chose me.  More of Him.  less. of. me. 

With my hand in His, let's do this thing.