There’s a ton of small moments in being a foster parent.
Their tiny fingers wrapped around your hand. He smiles and says “thank you” after the dinner you barely had time to whip up. She runs down the stairs to hug you and yells “Dad” or “Mom!” He proudly waves at you while receiving an award onstage during a school ceremony.
That affection means everything.
But sometimes, those little encouragements can be fleeting in the whirlwind of foster care.
Between family visits and appointments, helping a child catch up on schoolwork, and calming them down after an outburst that seemed like it wasn’t going to end, fostering can be exhausting.
If you’re feeling spread thin as a foster parent, we see you.
At Three Rivers Respite, we recognize that fostering is both beautiful and hard. We anchor ourselves not in the wonderful moments of parenting, but in the truth of God’s Word. We recognize God as a Heavenly Father who loves all His children.
He sees and knows your situation, and He hears your ongoing prayers about the child in your home. Even if you can’t feel Him, He is with you.
The following five Bible verses are reminders of how God cares for you and your family. No matter what your day has looked like as a foster parent, we hope this encourages you.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1
Reminder: God doesn’t expect you to do it all or have it all together. He wants to be your family’s ultimate source of refuge and strength.
“And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” —1 John 5:15
Reminder: God hears your every cry and prayer. He has not forgotten you and your prayers. Keep praying and wait on Him.
“But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.”
—Mark 10:14-16
Reminder: Jesus cares for the children in your home even more than you can fathom.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10 Reminder: God offers comfort when you face uncertainty. Surrender your burdens to Him.
“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.” —Mark 6:30-32
Reminder: It is important to rest. If you’re too busy for God or feel as if you can’t go on, slow down. Grab a cup of coffee and turn to God’s Word and pray to find rest in Him—even if children are playing in the same room. Be intentional to seek out respite opportunities for you and your spouse to be refreshed physically, emotionally, and spiritually.