When God calls you to something "crazy"

I don't like to throw the word "calling" around very often because, well, I think it's misused frequently. For example, we justify what WE want to do by saying that "God called us to do it." But I can't explain what I am about to share with you without using this word, because there really is no other way to explain it.

When I was a sophomore in high school, a little girl in my community was murdered by the very people who were supposed to love and protect her. From that moment on, my heart toward the hurting child was claimed. In the time since then, God has repeatedly exposed me to this area of ministry...often through funny, unorthodox ways. Before little A*'s story made it onto the front page of our local newspaper, I never once gave a thought to foster care. I never thought I could handle it. Ever since that day, though, when I first read little A*'s story, there really has never been a question in my mind. God has fashioned my heart for the purpose of loving His little ones. I don't say this lightly, and I am not just throwing this word around...but God has CALLED me to this.

I just had the most amazing 3 hour conversation with a friend who has sacrificed so much for the sake of this "crazy" call to be a foster parent. Being with her, hearing her heart and sharing mine with her...brought me so much joy, and just reaffirmed what God has already been putting before me.

I have one year left in school. I am not married, not even seriously dating anyone. I have no idea where I am going to live or work after I finish school. But I do know that God has made my heart to do this. I know that people will disagree with the path my life takes, that I will be questioned and misunderstood and even called "crazy." And while I can't say that it won't be hard, I am more than excited to begin to walk down this road with God's help. After all, don't we read account after account of God leading His people to do "crazy" things? From Noah, to David, to Paul...the Bible is full of such "crazy" stories, lives transformed by faith.

Please pray for me, friends. That my faith would grow, that God would give me His heart for these kids, that He would guide me in the next several months as I start to consider what this is going to look like. And never say never...God likes to prove us wrong ; )