This past week, our prayers were answered in that we received another foster placement to our home. Our license and home have been open since July of 2023 but we had not been selected for a placement. We have wondered why and sought out channels to facilitate a placement but to no avail.
When Amanda and I received the text last week for a baby with some medical concerns, we assumed we would not get selected as we had not been with previous, similar placement requests.
To our surprise, we were selected and the child came to our home this week.
Welp- it has been a hot minute since I was a "baby dad' and I am being reminded/reintroduced to all the fun. I have changed my shirt due to drool and spit up several times already. I had to change my entire outfit due to projectile vomit covering me from shoulder to knee. I forgot babies eat on schedules and do not take overnight off. I also forgot how much laundry a small human creates.
I also had forgotten how they impact your "pace". I have had to just stop what I would be doing and hold a baby (suffering for the Lord here). Besides staring at the precious face looking back at me, it has provided some good moments to reflect on my heavenly Father and His care for His children (even all humanity in His grace). A few random thoughts from my "slow down" this week.
God is intentional with His children- God does not treat us haphazardly. He knows what we need. He knows the "schedule" we are on in His sanctifying plans. He knows our frailness and aptness to indulge in temptations. He places people around us to aid us. He does not let us continue in matters that are spiritually unhealthy for us for an extended period of time. He is intentionally intimate.
God is gentle with His children- While God is intentional, He is also gentle in His care or intervention in our lives. We should not confuse the definition of gentleness as acquiescence or permission or inactivity- quite the contrary. It has more to do with HOW God does what needs to be done rather than IF God proactively works or intervenes. Hebrews 12 reminds me that God is stern with us for our own good (in holiness) but still does so in an eternally gentle manner...even if that is not how we feel about it on our end.
God provides for His children- Between the diapers, clothes, feedings, cleanups, baths, rocking, medicines, walks, alarms, and appointments, I was reminded that sustaining a human being requires A LOT. The church and friends have been so generous to us (which is more than we deserve). Even in the kindness of the county and church family and friends, it still pales in comparison to God's overarching, intrinsic provision in our lives. God is not only kind enough to provide for our necessities (Mt. 6:26) but all we require spiritually as well (2 Peter 1:3-4). When I spiritually vomit on myself...God's provision is enough. When I submit to generosity for the Gospel or towards others...God's provision is more than enough. When I am in great need during a temptation or trial...God's provision is more than enough.
God is available to His children- I hope it never ceases to amaze me that the Father is not only accessible (due to the work of Christ) but inviting (Heb. 4:14-16). Even when I do not feel worthy- He is available. Even when I have given into temptation- He is available. Even when I have been distant or self-reliant- He is available. Even when I feel hopeless- He is available. To think He is "all-everything" and "needs nothing" but still condescends to me...whew, I am spoiled (and so are you if you are a child of God).
I could go on but these are the random truths I have been meditating upon as an old man baby dad. Whether the placement is for a week or for much longer, I am thankful for the forced "slow down".
Friends, have you slowed down this week to spend some time with your heavenly Father?
Amid the pace of your routine and schedule, are you giving yourself over to the most important part (or perhaps I should say person) of your life?
Reply in the comments on social media or send me a text about one way you have been helped in your "slow down" time with God.
Serving together,
Pastor Paul