Today I need to write about someone quite dear to me, someone who challenges me and someone who inspires me greatly. I write about her because tomorrow she will do the hard thing. She and her amazing husband will say goodbye to their darling boy and strong girl.

The hard thing in foster care is the reason most people would never consider parenting children in foster care. I know, because they tell me all of the time. My friend does not enjoy the hard thing, but she has not turned her back on her calling because of the heartache and grief she will experience.

Ciara, you have taught me so much on this adventure. Let’s see if I can stick with the top five.

1. Expect miracles. Your first foster daughter is now your goddaughter. Miracles happen despite all the horror stories. You and Logan are such a picture of GRACE. It takes GRACE to welcome a newborn into your life and to embrace her family as your own. What a beautiful thing to let God do His best work all because you said yes. What a beautiful family He is creating.

2. Be courageous. Let your heart love and embrace fully without reservation. They deserve it. We can recover. They are constantly recovering. Form strong bonds to give them strong hearts to weather strong storms. Don’t hold back.

3. Walk by faith, not by sight. We do not know the whole story. We do not know the beginning. We do not know the end. We know these numerous months that are a tapestry of long days and nights and somehow, a million milestones. We know our part. We trust it is enough. We trust the One who knows and sees all, the One who is timeless.

4. Empower them. You don’t feel sorry for them, you empower them. You taught me that a two year-old can blow her own nose. I pretended that this was a normal scenario since I am a pediatrician and am supposed to have all those tactics down, right? You know better. I have witnessed you empower your children to accomplish so much: controlling emotions, going to bed independently and making good choices. What a gift to give them confidence through these little tasks that you allow them to master. You are a genius at this and your children learn so much with your patient endurance.

5. There are more waiting. More babies. More toddlers. More siblings. More parents struggling. More miracles to come. More heartache to bear. Give yourself time to grieve and celebrate and then take another call. Say yes and feel your heart break and grow once again.

Tomorrow is the reason my friend does foster care.

Reunification. Redemption. Restoration. Reconciliation.

My friend is not afraid to grieve deeply for the victory of her children being reunited with their parents. She is so strong, because the One who called her is Strong and Faithful.

I pray He hold you and Logan close, dear Friend, as you do the hard thing tomorrow.