Reasons to be Thankful for Foster Care

The holidays bring a season of gratitude. While being thankful for foster care isn’t always easy, being a part of this system brings so much goodness into our lives and it’s important to practice being grateful for it’s gifts.

James 1:2-3 reminds us to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” It can be hard when you’re in the thick of it to practice gratitude, so take this season as a time to be intentional and thankful.

Here are 5 reasons to be grateful for foster care:

Healing
Foster care allows for healing for many people. The first goal of foster care is reunification for parents and kids which requires healing. Parents need space and resources to heal and learn. Kids need space to heal from the trauma or hurt they may have experienced. Foster care can even help to heal foster parents. It’s hard to understand what baggage you carry until you’re confronted with a trigger. Once you can see and understand triggers, you too can begin to heal.
​
As we are immersed in the holiday season, let’s give thanks for the healing that can happen through foster care.

Personal Growth
As James continues in chapter one, perseverance leads us to the fruits of the spirit. By putting ourselves into situations that challenge our own strength, we find ourselves needing strength from above. As we push through situations that stretch us to the end of our comfort zones we give ourselves the opportunity for personal growth. Parenting, especially parenting kids from severe trauma, teaches us patience, grace, forgiveness and so much more!

In this season be grateful for the personal growth found in foster parenting.

Excitement
In the world of foster care, there is rarely a dull day. While this can often be tiring it also makes life exciting and fun. Kids are full of energy and excitement and have a unique way of looking at the world that can turn a mundane task into a fun one. Instead of fighting for a routine, try to embrace the excitement instead.

Practice being grateful for the excitement foster care brings into your life.
​
Full Hearts
When you submerge yourself in the world of foster care you bring love into the lives of others and often that love flows back to fill your heart. When a kid cracks a smile it fills your heart with joy. When you see a breakthrough happen, no matter how small, you can’t help but grin. This broken world needs an outflow of God’s love.

Love is who God is. Give thanks for having the gift of love in your life.

Laughter
It may not be every day or even every month, but laughter is one of the most healing experiences. When a child from trauma comes into your home and finally feels comfortable enough to laugh, it’s contagious. When a kid learn how to play it’s hard to not play with them. The healing experience of laughing as a family is something you cannot replicate.

In every moment of laughter you experience this season, take a moment to extend gratitude.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or are a current foster parent in need of continuing education, please follow us on Facebook  and stay up to date with Project 1.27’s training offerings.