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Distraught Child Finds Safe Place

Bradley Mattes   |   November 19, 2020

Since November is National Adoption Month, all this week my daily radio commentaries, Life Issues, address the blessings of foster care and adoption.

Don’t feel led to adopt a child? No problem. You’ll be amazed at all of the ways you can help make a huge difference in the life of a child by simply using the talents and passions God gave you.

Foster care isn’t all fun and games, but neither is parenting in a traditional family. As the father of four grown sons, my wife and I can attest to times of struggles. But in the end, it’s all worth the battles and so much more!

Parenting challenges can pave the way to blessings that inspire. Take this September 25, 2020 post on Growing with the Grays.

It demonstrates parenting isn’t for sissies — fostering or biological. When this family received a new child to care for, things got off to a memorable start. He cried and screamed nonstop the first day until he finally fell asleep. This continued for several nights. The husband sat in the nursery and rocked him for hours as he screamed.

Here’s what the mom wrote:

“This child didn’t hardly speak for 3 days. He didn’t want to eat. He kept walking back to the front door all day long and pointing to the door and crying. He was terrified. He was in fight or flight. He needed someone to be grounded for him.

“I will never forget — after several days of not speaking hardly at all..I was home alone with the kids and we were sitting on the floor playing with toys. He walked over and tapped my shoulder and said “Where daddy??? Where daddy at??” Tears filled my eyes. We FaceTime Jacob and his eyes lit up when he saw his face. All of those hours of my husband rocking him as he screamed, communicated to this child that he was his safe place. That it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to be sad and mad. And we will be here to hold you and love you through it.”

This was a hard-fought victory for a little child who desperately needed love, compassion, and a safe place. It was a turning point in his life.

The wife summarized her post, “This is foster care. And this is Jesus healing hearts one embrace at a time.”

Visit our website landing page to listen to each special radio commentary highlighting ways to love kids who desperately need loving. You’ll also find resources and many ideas of how you can help change the life of a child forever.

If God is whispering in your ear, listen to His voice.

For the love of a child,

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4 thoughts on “Distraught Child Finds Safe Place

  1. Reminded me of what Supreme Justice told graduating Class– Clarence Thomas told the students that they only take with them, what they have given to others! — and, also “”when bad things, happen, we either get BITTER, or we Grow., and that GOOD PEOPLE will take action

  2. Brad…This wonderful true story touched my heart deeply. I know people who are foster parents and it touches our hearts deeply to see them LOVE this child who has no family. May your story stir the hearts of people who have no children and would bless a child deeply. These children without fathers have to know that they do have a father, a Heavenly Father that has taken care of them and will take care of them. Blessing to you and all who are giving that gift of joy.

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