Far More Abundantly

This is the third post in the series "Memoirs of Fostering, Adoption, and Safe Surrender." If you haven't read why I'm doing this series, I encourage you to click on the above link and read through that post, as well as the previous 2 in the series. Also, please remember that some small details and names have been changed in order to keep confidentiality. However, the main points and overall account is truthful and accurate.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21

Sunday couldn’t come fast enough. Each hour spent without Jonathan was agonizing. Krysten and Kurt were aching over the loss of him in their lives. Everything they did and saw was a gut-wrenching reminder of the baby they loved but no longer had in their home.

But on a folded piece of paper, sitting on the dining room table were 10 digits. It was Jonathan’s grandma’s cell phone number that she had given to Krysten and Kurt at the transfer of care. Even though they had thought of him every waking moment, and even in their dreams, they were resolved to give his family a little space and wait until Sunday to call and see how he was doing.

All their family and friends prayed that they’d get to speak to his grandma when they called on Sunday. Everyone prayed that even though there was a little language barrier, they’d get an update on how he was doing and maybe she’d even send a picture.

But it’s just like God “to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,” in order to show his loving-kindness and make his sovereignty, over all circumstances, evident. And that’s exactly what happened.

Not only did Krysten and Kurt get to speak to his grandma that Sunday, but she invited them to meet her and the rest of her family for lunch. Krysten and Kurt were shocked and completely over-joyed. In all of their training classes they had never heard of a situation like this. It had only been 3 days since they had said goodbye to Jonathan, and now, God was going above and beyond their wildest dreams and letting them see their sweet boy again.

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It’s been over a year now that Jonathan has been with his grandma. Krysten and Kurt continue to have a thriving, beautiful and sweet relationship not only with Jonathan and his grandma, but also with Jonathan’s aunts and uncles. They have celebrated major holidays together and even celebrated Jonathan’s first birthday together. Krysten and Kurt are committed to being involved in Jonathan’s life and couldn’t be more excited and supportive of his grandma as she prepares to adopt Jonathan.

This special relationship that they share is incredibly unique and highly uncommon for previous foster parents to have such strong and loving relationships with biological families. But it’s no hard thing for God “to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” May he alone receive the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Krysten and Kurt