Called to Press On

I am struggling to keep my eyes above and not around me.  I am struggling to take care of these 2 extra kids who are difficult.  They aren't my own.  They weren't raised by me, with my rules and my expectations.  And now I am having to impose those, when they already have other patterns established.  I am tired of forcing a child to eat a vegetable.  Granted, I give her the choice, you can eat this and then have the rest of your dinner, or you can not eat it and get down.  But that battle is exhausting day after day.  I can relate all too well with my 5 year old who often says "I just want them to leave!"  I hear that phrase in my own head more times than I care to admit.

Yet I know this is not the heart God wants for me.  I have to keep perspective on why we are doing this.  That we are caring for HIS children.  Not the lady who I keep having to interact with, the one they call mom, who I am doubting more and more is the best person to care for them.  Instead I have to focus on the fact that their heavenly father loves them, and he has given us the opportunity to show them that love through their daily, tangible care. 

A friend sent me an email that was really helpful in me being mindful that I am not just called to love these kids becuase I love Jesus, but I am called to love these kids like they are Jesus.  I need to keep that at the forefront of my mind in the daily drudgery, and it is very difficult for me to do.

Matthew 25:35-40
 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’