Donnette Norman says foster care is an option
Donnette Norman has experienced feeling left out on Mothers Day because she did not have any children, but that is no longer the case as the Holy Spirit revealed to her, through the story of Ruth that He is the one who allows conception to take place.
Ruth 4:13 (KJV), “So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son,” was the scripture God placed on her heart during those anxious moments.
“I saw clearly from the scriptures that it was God who gave Ruth conception. I knew in my heart then that conception is in the hands of God the master creator,” she said.
She believes it should be easier for a Christian woman to deal with childlessness, however, she has found that this is not always the case. Making peace with this reality she noted is based on an individual’s spiritual maturity and also the disposition of a couple towards children and the will of God.
“We are told to be anxious for nothing but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make our request known to God,” she reminded.
Norman became a foster mom to two children two years ago and the experience has been wonderful so far. She and her husband Andrew went through The For The Child Foster Care programme to meet their foster children. The programme is a partnership which involves the Family Life Ministries, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency and the Nairn Family Homes in Canada.
Norman recalls receiving a call from the then director of the foster care programme Mrs. Holly McFarlane.
“God used her to challenge my heart to engage the Family life [Ministries] Foster Care programme. She offered to assist me and said she felt myself and my husband would be excellent foster parents. Sadly, she passed shortly afterwards [but] I never forgot her encouragement,” said the foster mom.
Norman now encourages women to consider fostering a child if they are desirous of having children, but have not been able to do so as yet. They can contribute to raising these children in the fear of the Lord and are offered training through the programme.
For mothers who generally feel despondent on Mothers Day, Norman has some words of encouragement.
“Wait on the Lord if he has promised to give you children. If he has not promised, consider fostering a child. God can put a love in your heart for them like they were your own biological children,” she said.
She said she is a witness of the fact that God can make someone a joyful mother of children, “whether they are biologically yours, adopted or fostered.”