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Faith Focus: 'We changed the trajectory of his life'

Andi Harrison is director of Buckner foster care and adoption in North Texas. She’s also a foster parent. When her first foster child was placed back with a member of his biological family, she did what many foster parents do: She cried.

Though the young boy was only in her care for a short time, Andi loved him deeply. She and her family had connected with him. He was part of the family. Seeing him leave was devastating even if it was best for him. 

“I cried for days,” Andi remembers. 

With time, however, comes perspective. Andi still loves the boy. She even still misses him. But she also has a better understanding of the importance of her role in his life. The Harrisons brought stability and love when he had little. 

“We love him,” she says. “We got to pray with him. We got to sing ‘Jesus loves me’ to him each night. We changed the trajectory of his life.” 

Often when we volunteer in a ministry or try to share our faith, we come with an idealized version of the outcome. I know I’ve been guilty of this sort of thinking: I’m going to share my faith with my friend. They’re going to immediately come to faith. Their life is going to change right then and there. 

That’s rarely the way it happens. Some research indicates that on average people hear the gospel seven times before they come to faith. Each of us has a role in the people God has called into our spheres of influence. 

For the Harrisons, God called them to provide critical care and support for a little boy for a time. During that period, they modeled and shared the love of Christ daily with him. They provided a launching pad for the rest of his life. 

What role are you playing in someone’s life today? 

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. -1 Corinthians 3:6-9 
 

Deeper reflection:

  • What roles are you playing in making disciples this week?
  • Why do you think God brings people into our lives at specific moments?

Next steps:

  • Begin praying for the people in your sphere of influence by name.
  • How can you impact the trajectory of a child’s life? Learn more about ways you can help by clicking here.

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