I I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west (Isaiah 43:5 NIV).

I’ve always loved children and wanted at least four of our own, but when I nearly died giving birth to our twins, we decided not to risk having any more.  I was disappointed, but as our children grew, their friends quickly learned that they were welcome in our home.  We held Bible clubs in the summer when our children were small, and always made room for their friends or for lonely neighborhood children or teens.

When our two were preparing to graduate from high school, we started doing foster care and opened our home to Angi’s friend, Jennifer, who became a permanent addition to our family.  In the next five and a half years, 11 foster children and boarders passed through our home, some for only a few days, and others for up to three years.*  I realized that if we had been able to have as many biological children as we wanted, God may not have been able to use us in this way.

As our children reached the age of 23, a friend told us, “For a couple who only have two biological children, you have more children than anyone I know!”  God knew the desire of my heart and brought us children from the east and from the west (Isaiah 43:5).

Dear Lord, thank you for taking our disappointments and turning them into  opportunities to serve you and bring you glory.  Amen.

*After returning from Japan, we became foster parents again for a number of years and hosted an International student.

Photo is a random one from the Internet to preserve the privacy of our foster children.(Devotional from Homespun Faith, Reflections from the Seasons of Life, copyright 2014 Daisy Beiler Townsend. Available as paperback or ebook: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Xulon Press. There are Links on this website on the Where to Buy Homespun Faith and Sarah’s Legacy page.  Locally at Fresh Grounds, M & M Grocery, Leanna’s Books, Penn Alps in Grantsville, Maryland, or from me 724-373-8445 or donaisy@neo.rr.com.)