Fighting the good fight

This past Wednesday was a special day for me. I woke up early, laid out my "good jeans" and my fancy heels, curled my hair and did my makeup just so. I hurried out the door and got myself a seat in the front row of the local baptist church down the street. I was anxious and excited as I saw the decorations around me and prepared my camera to take pics and video simultaneously. Then, the door opened and there they came. Granted, they aren't much to take serious....they are just 4 year olds....walking through the sanctuary preparing to take the stage in your average run-of-the-mill preschool performance. But this day was different. One little girl walked out....looked out into the audience...and for the first time in her life someone was sitting in her "reserved" seating. Someone was there...claiming her as their own...ready to give her their undivided attention. And this wasn't just a preschool performance, this was a mother/daughter tea. An event that, for an orphan or foster child, creates anxiety and fear for the "what if's". What if she didn't come? What if no one is there to watch me? What if I have to sit by myself and watch all the other kids with their mommy's Even if just for today, the what if's were silenced as we made eye contact and her face lit up like a light. I was there......cheering, watching, smiling and blowing kisses. I was there....taking pictures, giving a thumbs-up at the end of each song. I was there....ready to take her by the hand and walk her to the reserved mother/daughter table to enjoy goodies and gifts made especially by her. And as I sat there, for just that one hour together, I was her real mom.....I got to "show up" for her.....and it made my year. So when I went to court today and by the default of our justice system and the umpteen chances we provide birth parents I was able to hold onto that moment and smile...as the judge gave their mother six more months to "get it together". Allbeit six more months to "hang herself" so to speak, it's six more months of no-shows, no-calls, no child-support, no effort. Six more months of "I don't know where mommy is" or "I don't know how long you will live here" or "I know you're hurting because you haven't seen her in a long time". Six more months of fight. But instead of being furious....being distraught with our justice system and the lack of accountability....I have a smile on my face and peace in my heart. What glory would God get if it was just that easy to save a life? Why would we need Him if we could just walk in and do it all ourselves? That's why we will continue to fight this good fight of faith. Because just as I got to show up for her, My God shows up for me. He has WON the battle against the enemy. The war over orphans and foster kids is OVER. God has WON. The problem is no one is showing up to claim that victory, whatever it looks like. It's not an easy job, there are no accolades...no spotlights...no special titles. Just broken kids looking for someone to show up for them...everyday...in very simple ways. These two probably won't cure cancer, probably won't invent the next big thing, probably won't be professional athletes. They probably won't be standing before the Academy, thanking Aunt Laurie and Uncle Chad for taking them in and loving them. But they will be loved. They will be wanted. They will know Jesus. And they will always have someone sitting in their section. Because that's what Jesus did for us. He showed up. He fought. He never gave up. And neither will we. I will leave you with this....