a turning point

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These are the current children at my local Tulsa shelter. Most are there because of a shortage in foster families available to welcome them into their homes.  This list just has 43 children on it. The list changes daily. Sometimes younger kids. Sometimes babies. Often sets of siblings.

Sometimes we think of foster care as an overwhelming issue. One so great that it doesn’t matter if we get involved or not. Could just a single family make a difference?

Yes.

The list has 43 names – that is not an overwhelming number.

Last week, I watched Chris and his team gather pastors from the 10 of the largest churches in Tulsa – putting denominational differences aside – for one cause. They came together to see that no child is waiting on a home but rather that in our city there would be a surplus of available foster families waiting if and unfortunately when children need a safe home.

43 on a list. 10 pastors representing over 150,000 members.

There is no reason our city should not have a surplus of waiting foster families. The same is true of every city.

A significant number of those waiting to be placed in a foster home are teenagers and sibling sets. Often teenagers cannot be placed in homes that have younger children. Chris let out a rally cry for empty nesters…for those that have empty homes, but so much more to pour out and offer. Those who have gone through the trials and joys of parenting and are uniquely equipped to offer a home, love, guidance and mentorship to teenagers.

I didn’t take any pictures. I did take it all in…the beauty of so many leaders in my city linking arms and saying, ‘not in our city.’

I have a feeling last week was a turning point for my city. For children in my town. For families. For empty-nesters. For churches.

And it is so exciting!

(letter from an Oklahoma foster child)