Wise Words

At my Foster Parent Licensing class this evening, there was a woman who has been fostering children for 18 years. She brought her current four foster children with her, and they played in an adjoining room while we had class. At the end of the session, the trainer asked her to share a bit about her experiences.

As she told the story of one of her foster children, she mentioned that he had gone around her house on his arrival, smashing his fist into every wall and window. With a light chuckle, she explained that she has a handy-man 'on-call' to handle the house damage she has come to expect. And then, in a more serious tone, she said, "I'm interested in repairing hearts. I can get someone else to repair walls and windows. It's repairing hearts that matters."

Wise, wise, wise.

Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.'
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.

And the LORD will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.

And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to dwell in.

Isaiah 58:6-12