Red bird

When my DHS lady calls I answer.  Not because it’s usually an emergency, not because I have to, because she’s one of my people.  Even when we aren’t in a case together she is a sounding board I will always call. You know why? Because she’s seen me at my best, and she’s seen me at my worst, we’ve been to war together, celebrated triumph, and doubted ourselves in the same breath but we are always on the same side.   She loves people the way I do.

It was January, I didn’t think I was ready for a new placement but I knew the moment she told me that it was local, it was for me.  We liked the idea of being able to be an active part of the families we invest in.  Every child you take in has a story and when you hear that story you have two choices.  Hear the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day or look to the Redeemer and say, what can I do.

Red was 10 months old with older siblings which we instantly grew to love though they were not in our care,  her mom was in jail and that broke my heart in a way I can not explain.  I wanted to meet her, I wanted to lay eyes on her to let her know that her baby was ok, that I was a safe place for not only Red but her brothers and sisters.

So my lady told me she was going to the jail, and I said I want to go with you, will you take me.  My lady always says yes to loving on people.  So we do what we do and I meet her at the county jail so she can take me to see my new friend.  I knew the moment I saw her she was ready for change.  She went from there to rehab and in April entered my home for the first time where we continue to make her awkward and welcome.

Let me tell you about my friend.  She’s is incredible.  She faces her trauma with bravery, she is passionate about bettering herself and she makes me laugh so much.  We have come to a place in a short 11 months that I can tell you without a doubt if I need help, she is there and if she needs me I am there.  We are learning to parent teens because she lets me in, we are learning what heart ache looks like on both sides of foster care, because I let her in, and we cry together, pray together, and celebrate the Lord’s goodness in each day.

A few weeks ago knowing I was about to send my vivacious red head home, I was in worship in our Sunday service with my eyes closed .  I saw my hands outstretched in front of me cupping a tiny red bird, as I held her up to the heavens she flew.  My heart was overwhelmed and tears poured from my eyes, noticed by mom she wrapped her arms around me but in that moment I knew the Lord was telling me, it was time.

Last week held many transitions, even though we sent Red home at night she remained in our home during the day, preparing to adjust for daycare transition, Friday was her first day, and though we all mourned it, it was breathtaking and everythig my friend and I had prayed for.

To say the season with Red was a blessing would be an understatement because we have grown in ways that are so beautiful and awkward and fun.

To my vivacious Red, you are a little lady of extreme determination with  a heart bigger than your tiny body, may you always worship with your hands high in the innocence of a child.  I hope you always love Graves to Gardens because dear girl your life is a living testament of just that.

Dear friend, you are a warrior of extreme power, I hope you always know how loved you are….mostly because I will always remind you, and because every day the Father will bless you with more and more of himself because you my friend are faithful in the hard things.  I love you.

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 20 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because he has become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. – Hebrews 6:19-20