As foster parents, the second child we ever welcomed into our home arrived with about 45 minutes notice. We were supposed to take high schoolers camping that weekend, but the event was rained out. It meant we were available to answer the phone when we were called about a 4-year-old in need of a home. I picked the boy up and brought him to my office. The little guy arrived with nothing but a comb and a toy from his Happy Meal and was trying very hard to be brave. 

My coworker John was a car buff in the process of rebuilding a cool classic convertible that he’d driven to work that day. John took one look at my new little buddy and said, “Do you like cars?” When the kiddo nodded, he said, “Follow me” and led us out to the parking lot. John let the boy climb into his car and revved the engine around the parking lot a few times. When we walked back inside, the kiddo was grinning ear to ear.

That weekend, we attempted to assemble bunk beds and realized power tools were needed. My husband called our friend Vince, who arrived with his collection and stayed all afternoon to help assemble furniture — during the final round of the Masters, no less!

That summer, we took our son and foster son to Hilton Head. My father took them on countless walks to hunt for gators and helped the boys set off sparklers on July 4. My uncle tossed our bonus son in the pool over and over again — just like he had done with his own kids year after year.

The 4-year-old was with us for about five months. In that time, so many people stepped in to play, tutor, share, comfort and feed him. When we said “yes,” we had no idea just how many blessings were on the way for him and our family. Some holidays like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can stir up complicated feelings — calling to mind the lives of those who are no longer with us, or a role that wasn’t filled well for some. However, when I think of John, Vince, my father and uncle, I’m reminded of all the help that came to our aid when we said “yes” to a little boy who needed a “for now” family. There were so many blessings already on their way.

Not everyone is currently parenting, but everyone can fill the roles that our friends and family did for a child in our care. Many of us, upon reflection, can think of families who might need help assembling furniture or with school or housework. A scan of the church bulletin or a call to a local pregnancy resource center or foster licensing office could match unique gifts and talents with many needs in your community.

In the First Letter of John, we are told, “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are … Beloved, we are God’s children now” (3:1-2). Sharing this love is a profound way we can celebrate and reflect the love of God the Father, and become a blessing to those most in need.