God is Crazy. And I mean that in the nicest possible way.

God is absolutely crazy.  Certifiable.  Seriously! 

Before you label me as a heretic, let me explain.

Fifteen or 20 years ago, about the time I started thinking of someday becoming a mother, I always figured that I'd have a couple of kids, then adopt "or something". 

I met my Shannon in 1997 and we found that we more or less shared this assumption about our lives.  We'd have kids, then some other form of kids would follow.  I thought perhaps we'd adopt from China.  He thought maybe a ranch for troubled boys.  It was all good. 

Later, after marriage and two children, we started thinking about fostering.  Our town has a Heart Gallery.  Basically, they take professional photos of foster kids looking adorable, then use them to advertise for a forever home.  And then they take these galleries all over town.  The mall, church, vacant store space, the airport.  Shannon and I were drawn to these Heart Galleries.  We would read each and every bio as we looked at each photo.  Our hearts ached for these children. 

Fast forward somewhat to this year.  Stronger and stronger we've both felt that our time to become foster parents was near.  It is an indisputable calling on each of our hearts.  Finally, our only hold-out was our vehicle.  We only have a small sedan that barely fits the 2 car seats that we already have.  A third simply wouldn't work.  So we prayed, "Lord, when you're ready for us to be foster parents, send us a minivan."  And this week...He did. 

Now for the crazy part.  I'm not a natural mother.  I am often at a loss for how to handle situations with our two children.  It just doesn't come naturally to me.  Instead, I read books, I ask other moms for advice, I follow birth club forums.  And somewhere along the way, our kids are growing up healthy and nurtured.  A LOT of this has to do with Shannon.  Parenting does come naturally to him.  He has an innate ability to handle both children, to be the calm in the storm.  But I entirely lack this trait. 

And that's why God is crazy.  He wants us, ME, to be foster parents.  To actually take someone else's children and nurture them. 

Are you sure, God?  'Cause honestly this doesn't sound like your best idea. 

I've always heard the quote "God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called."  And I'm pretty sure that has to fit this situation because I am in no way equipped.  I barely have the patience for my own 2 progeny.  And I carried them each for 9 months, lovingly rubbing my belly.  I nursed them out of babyhood and into toddlerhood.  What will I do with -- how will I handle -- someone else's children?

Shannon and I are in full agreement -- this is a calling that God has placed on each of us.  The time is now.  God has asked us and we are answering, "I'll go, Lord.  Send me."  We're in 100%, even if I do think He is crazy.