Mr. Jim
Foster children have to grow up too quickly sometimes. They see the harsh realities of sin in our world and live in the broken families that come from it.
One 3-year-old boy in foster care has to face this each time he is brought to visit his biological mother. It’s rough on him. He probably doesn’t understand all the surrounding circumstances and most certainly is confused and hurt in ways that he doesn’t even know how to articulate. His foster parents are loving folks who do all that they can for him and make sure that he’s safe, protected and surrounded by healthy relationships. But it’s still a lot for a little boy to swallow.
The FaithBridge family consultant working with this family noticed the child’s growing anxiety with each visit. Wanting to take the adult-sized weight off of this small child, the family consultant, known as Mr. Jim, assured him that it would be OK.
And the boy found great confidence in this.
He said recently to his foster mom, “Is Mr. Jim coming to see me soon? Is Mr. Jim caring about all this so I don’t have to? I know he is. He always is. He said I don’t have to worry.”
Foster care is difficult work. It takes a team of adults to care for and raise a child who has been taken away from his or her biological family for difficult reasons. And it doesn’t always magically get easier with time. People like Mr. Jim stand in the gap with families and children by carrying their burdens for or with them so that they may know the love of God and how He sent Jesus to stand in the gap for and with us.
“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
– 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
*Details have been changed to protect the identity of and for the safety of this child and family.