I almost said no

I didn’t really want to say yes. When the text appeared from my foster agency’s intake worker on Tuesday morning around 10:30 asking me if I would be interested in taking a short-term placement of a 3-month-old baby girl, I couldn’t get excited this time. There was no good excuse. It would potentially only be for a couple of days, but of course that never really happens. Placement would need to happen that day. Wasn’t I just lamenting how just 4 days prior, we said yes to a newborn baby girl, but because my agency didn’t like the fact that we needed respite in both October and November, the offer was rescinded? I had ended my text to her on that Friday with, “We have an empty crib and open arms.” Did I really mean that?

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

But Classical Conversations would start on Thursday and I would be tutoring/teaching a class in the morning. This year, I have no parents in my classroom because they would all be in their younger children’s classes or they are tutors. Usually, the parents in my class help with taking care of my babies. So God brought to mind a servant-hearted friend who loves my babies. I called her up and she said yes, she would love to watch the baby at CC. So easy, right?

How could I say no now? Here was yet another baby in need of a home and a family, so how could I even think of saying no?  Because I didn’t know how I would tutor with her in my arms for three hours? Her needs were MUCH greater than mine! Oh dear, how short-sighted and selfish I am, and how little my faith is in trusting that God would work everything out. Of course He would! After briefly asking my husband about the baby, and feeling comfortable with babysitting on Thursday morning, I responded to our intake worker with a yes.

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

Of course my Father will supply all my needs. And babysitting isn’t even a basic need! It is above and beyond basic food, shelter, and clothing. Yes, He cares about me and He provides abundantly. Let me tell you more.

On top of providing me with a babysitter immediately, He provided diapers and baby clothes. After I picked up Baby M from our county processing center/group home, I posted a request for size 2 diapers and size 6-month baby girl clothing on my MOMS Club group Facebook page. Within 20 minutes, moms provided a month’s worth of size 2 diapers and more 6-month clothing than our baby could ever wear. They also gave me formula and toys! (By the way, if you are looking for a local mom tribe, check out your MOMS Club in your area.) Because babies come in and out of our home every few months or every year, there is very little fanfare anymore. We appreciate even more the generosity of everyone’s hearts when they visit, celebrate our temporary little loves, and happily provide.

Our new baby love is just precious. My bio boys are over the moon happy to have a baby sister in their arms again. The first day of tutoring Classical Conversations went well yesterday and our CC community loved meeting her. Yes, we needed to say yes…to provide a family for her, to humble ourselves, to bring God all the glory.

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