“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.”
— Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
A Story from the Heart: When Love Feels Inconvenient
It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon when Lisa, a foster mom of two, found herself hiding in the laundry room—tears mixing with the scent of fabric softener and frustration. That morning, one of her foster children had broken a lamp and then melted down in rage when confronted. The other had stopped speaking altogether, clearly triggered by something that no one could quite name.
Lisa felt drained—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She looked up and whispered, “God, where are You in this? I’m trying so hard to love them, but I feel so alone.”
In that quiet moment, the Lord brought to her heart a picture of Jesus kneeling before the blind man, touching the leper, weeping at Lazarus’ tomb. She remembered how Jesus didn’t run away from the pain. He stepped into it. He loved when others walked away. He saw the broken, the hurting, the cast-aside—and He called them beloved.
And that’s when she felt it—not an answer, but a presence. Not a solution, but a Savior, sitting with her in the laundry room. She wasn’t alone.
Jesus and the Least of These: A Reflection on Divine Compassion
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus’ ministry was marked by His radical love for the overlooked. He healed the sick, restored the outcast, dined with sinners, and lifted children into His arms as models of the Kingdom. He never sought those with status or ease. Instead, He walked toward the weary, the wounded, and the vulnerable.
In Luke 7:11-17, Jesus encounters a widow in Nain whose only son has died. Seeing her grief, He is moved with compassion—not because she was powerful or influential, but because she was suffering. Without her asking, He steps in, touches the coffin, and commands the boy to rise. The result is not just the return of a child, but the restoration of a mother’s heart. That’s Jesus: the One who resurrects what we thought was gone, who steps into the mess without hesitation.
Similarly, in Mark 10:13-16, Jesus rebukes the disciples for trying to turn children away. Instead, He pulls them close and blesses them. In a culture that often viewed children—especially vulnerable ones—as distractions or burdens, Jesus saw worth, calling, and beauty.
These stories reflect His heart for foster and adoptive families. Jesus is not just present in the polished testimonies but in the late-night cries, the trauma-driven behaviors, and the quiet sacrifices. His love doesn’t shrink in the face of brokenness—it expands.
The Call to See as Christ Sees
As foster and adoptive families, you are walking a path that mirrors the ministry of Christ in powerful ways. You have opened your home to the vulnerable. You’ve said yes to stories that began with pain. You’ve chosen love—not because it’s easy, but because it’s holy.
But let’s be honest: sometimes this journey feels too heavy. Sometimes, like Lisa, you’re crying in the laundry room, wondering if your “yes” was enough.
In those moments, remember Matthew 25:40. Jesus doesn’t ask us to have it all figured out. He simply invites us to love the least of these in His name—and then assures us that He is in that love. Every bedtime story to a child who’s afraid, every trip to therapy, every broken dish, every tear shed behind closed doors—it’s seen by God. It’s sacred. And it matters deeply to Him.
Practical Application: Stepping Into Sacred Love
If you’re feeling weary, here are some ways to stay grounded in God’s love:
- Start Each Day with Surrender.
Begin the morning with a simple prayer: “Jesus, help me to love as You love today. Fill in the gaps where I fall short.” This opens your heart to grace and reminds you that this journey is not yours alone to carry. - See the Child, Not Just the Behavior.
Jesus saw past actions into hearts. Ask God for eyes to see the pain behind the tantrum, the story behind the silence. Every behavior is a communication—and love listens. - Invite Jesus into the Chaos.
Whether it’s a courtroom hearing, a school meeting, or a bedtime meltdown—stop and whisper His name. He’s not watching from a distance; He’s walking beside you. - Connect with Other Faith-Filled Families.
Isolation is the enemy of encouragement. Join or form a small group of fellow foster/adoptive families to pray, support, and share burdens together. - Celebrate Small Wins.
Did your child make it through a day without a meltdown? Did they share a smile? These moments are victories. Rejoice in them. Heaven does.
You Are Not Alone
If you’ve come to this page feeling exhausted, know this: God sees you. He sees every sleepless night, every whispered prayer, every exhausted “yes” when your strength was gone. And He is with you.
You are not raising these children alone. The same God who multiplied loaves, calmed storms, and healed the broken is holding your family together—even when it feels like it’s falling apart.
You’re part of a divine story—a redemption narrative that echoes the very Gospel. Just as God adopted us as His own through Christ, you are embodying that same love to the ones in your care. That’s holy work. That’s Kingdom work. And it will not return void.
A Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your heart for the vulnerable. Thank You for loving us when we were lost, broken, and in need of rescue. We lift up every foster and adoptive family to You today. You know their battles, their joys, their tears, and their sacrifices. Wrap them in Your comfort. Renew their strength. Fill their homes with peace. Let them feel Your presence in the mundane and the miraculous.
Lord Jesus, teach us to love like You. Help us to see with compassion, to act with courage, and to trust in Your faithfulness. Let every child in our care know they are cherished—not just by us, but by You.
We place our families in Your hands, believing You are writing a beautiful story—one of hope, healing, and redemption.
In Your name we pray,
Amen.
If this devotional spoke to your heart, we invite you to explore more resources, prayers, and stories on our Faith-Based Encouragement & Devotionals page. You are not alone, beloved. God walks with you, and His love never fails.