A Mutual Understanding

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

My husband called me, excitement in his voice. He’d just dropped off Christmas gifts for foster kids at a program in the town next to ours and had a lengthy conversation with the people who run it.

“They’re foster parents themselves,” he explained. “They’ve been fostering for years and have adopted several kids.”

They had shared with him about their experiences over the years, and he, in turn, got to tell them some of our stories of fostering children. “It’s just nice to talk to someone else who’s done it,” he said as he finished.

I agreed. Over the years, we’d met a few people who have fostered or adopted kids, but not many. Our close friends and family have always supported us, but it’s gratifying when we can talk with someone doing the same thing that we are, experiencing much of the joy and challenges that go along with fostering and adopting. My husband left encouraged and grateful to be able to talk with someone who had a mutual understanding of the rewards and heartaches involved.

There’s just something about connecting with another person who has been on a similar journey. There’s a comfort in being understood in a way that may be challenging for someone who’s never walked in your shoes. No matter what we’ve faced, knowing that others have experienced the same thing, whether good or hard, is reassuring.

But even if we look around and can’t find anyone who gets what we’re going through, we can always trust that God does. The Bible tells us that he knows everything about us. He knows when we sit or stand. He knows our thoughts, even the ones we don’t ever speak out loud. He knows us more intimately than anyone else could and loves us just as we are. I’m so grateful that Jesus understands every thought we have and every circumstance we face and promises to be with us through it all.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Encourage someone walking through an experience similar to your own.