“You always know the right
thing to do.
The hard part is doing it.”
- General Norman Schwarzkopf
You regularly wear a black
t-shirt that boldly proclaims, “I’ve done things that make me lose sleep at
night, so that you can sleep at night.” It’s
true: While you were deployed, you saw
and experienced horrors that most civilians cannot imagine, and now you proudly
wear the t-shirt – and the tattoos - to prove it. You were a soldier, willing to sacrifice your
life and fight courageously for what you believe in. For the citizens who live in freedom, who are
able to sleep at night, you are a hero!
But then, when you returned
home after your tour of duty, scarred and forever changed, you faced the worst
possible scenario imaginable. A horror
far worse than war. Harsher, even, than
combat. In one tragic, unthinkable
moment, tragedy struck, and your child was left fighting for his life. It was almost more than you could possibly
bear! After hours of uncertainty, he survived
his near-fatal injuries, and his life was miraculously spared. Your nightmares, unfortunately, continue to
haunt.
And now, finally, your child
is coming home! It is the day you’ve been waiting for and praying about for six
long months. In your excitement,
however, be aware that this will be your most critical battle yet. That the lives and the future of your
children are at stake. You are the one they will need. The one who will be responsible for their
safety and protection and security. The
one who will lead them and set an example for them. Now, more than ever before, it is vital that
you be all you can be.
You now have an assignment that
is classified priority. You must be
willing to sacrifice your life and fight courageously, not for your country
this time, but for those you love most.
You have new mission going forward, one of utmost importance: Operation
Enduring Family.
Here are the requirements for
this mission, this special op that God has specifically called you to:
This mission requires a spotless record. Wait . . . what?! You know you have committed violations. The guilt
of yesterday is a dark shadow on your heart.
The enemy’s strategy is to continually accuse you of your offenses,
burdening you with reminders of the transgressions you have committed against
the duty and honor you had promised to uphold.
But know this . . . You can cease striving, resting in His unfailing
promise to freely pardon. Your past can
be fully forgiven. At the foot of the
cross, where Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom, your record is
wiped clean. You can stand before Him,
serving Him unashamed.1 Guiltless.
This mission requires courage. Wait . . . what?! How is it possible to be brave when being
entrusted with the lives of innocent children? Who can stand fearless under such an immense
responsibility? Operation Enduring Family is an especially daunting mission because
there are social workers and community care coordinators who are watching your
every move. And because you have seen, first hand, how instantly
and unexpectedly a landmine can explode, right in the middle of your family.
Do not
allow fear, the fear that is ever present, to enter your heart. In those dark and sleepless nights when
insomnia has once again chased sleep far from you, be strong and
courageous. Remember that the God who
has given unwavering valor to countless warriors throughout the centuries is
the same God who will also give it to you.
He is the same God who promises to be with you wherever you go.2
He was right
there with you, protecting you during those years in the scorching heat on the
other side of the world. He was with you,
sustaining you during those terrifying days when your son was in the hospital with
life-threatening injuries. He has been
with you, comforting you during these long months when he has been in foster
care, far from your arms that long to hold him.
And He will be with you when your son returns home to you, as you adjust
to the new regimen and routine and responsibilities. He goes before you, guiding your footsteps when
the way is difficult and confusing and unknown. Wherever this mission takes you, whatever impossible
demands that you face, you can be courageous, knowing that you will never, not
for one minute, be alone.
This mission requires perseverance. Sometimes a foster parent is called a “hero.” Foster parents are like the Reserves, the
rescue team ready at a moment’s notice to assist during an emergency situation. Sort of like Operation Intensive Healing.
However, a foster parent’s role is, by definition, temporary. Difficult and exhausting and never at convenient
times, but still, temporary. You, his
parents, have the much more difficult task of rebuilding a broken family. Of healing deep wounds. Of ensuring that your family remains stable
for the long term, regardless of the obstacles and hardships. And that requires a tremendous amount of perseverance.
Your son’s
scars may eventually fade and there may come a day when he is no longer
dependent upon medical equipment and specialists and therapists. But the emotional scars, the pain and fear
left in the aftermath of the trauma he experienced, may not heal quite as
easily. His unpredictable behavior and unexpected
outbursts may be confusing. His progress
may seem slow. He will require patience
and tenderness and understanding. Again
and again and again.3
This mission requires faith. Make no
mistake. When you accept this
assignment, it will be dangerous. You
have an enemy, a dark, powerful, violent terrorist who poses an imminent threat
to you and your family. His goal is to
steal, kill and destroy.4 He
wants you to admit defeat. Hold your
position. You must never surrender! Defend against him at every cost! Use every weapon in your arsenal in order to
stand against his attacks.5
Remember,
though, that God is with you. He is braver and stronger than you, more powerful,
even than your fiercest enemy.6
Trust Him to strengthen you in the very moment you need it.7 When you feel like giving up, have faith that
He will give you the ability to persevere for one more day. Not only will He give you strength, He is your strength.8 He is the One
who will fight for you.9
For Operation Enduring Family, victory is sure. With faith in the One who promises victory, you
and your family will be strong and will be able to withstand any assaults. But even more importantly, as you pass along
your strong faith to your children, as they see that your faithful God strengthens
and sustains you, you are passing along a godly heritage. A legacy that will endure, not only for this
lifetime, but for the next generation, and even for eternity.
Choose to
believe. Have faith in the One who holds
you and your family in His hands. Find the
forgiveness and courage and strength and perseverance that only He can
provide. Then you can say, along with David,
one of the mightiest warriors in all of history, “I lie down and sleep; I wake
again, because the Lord sustains me.” (Psalm 3:5)
Trust
Him. He is, after all, the true Hero.
1. If you,
Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we
can, with reverence, serve You. –
Psalm 130:3-4
2. Have I not
commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be frightened, and do
not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
3. This is my prayer for you: That God
would fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and
understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the
Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in
the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His
glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience. –
Colossians 1:9-14
4. The thief
comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may
have life, and have it to the full.
– John 10:10
5. Put on the
full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:11
6. The Lord is
my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take
refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My
savior, thou dost save me from violence.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; and I am saved
from my enemies. – 2 Samuel 22:2-4
7. So do not
fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will
uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:1
8. God is our
refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1
9. For the Lord
your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to
give you victory.” - Deuteronomy 20:4
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