Advent Guide: The Wonder of ChristmasEsimerkki

Perfect Love for Imperfect People

The Bible says God loved us even while we were still sinners. While I am grateful for this kind of Love, I did not understand it. It wasn't until I became a foster parent that I caught a glimpse of the Unconditional Love God has for us as imperfect people.

My first foster placement was for two siblings. These innocent children craved attention; they needed love, and it was easy to give love to them. However, I can't say I instantly loved their mother. I had never met or spoken to her. I only knew the bullet-point version of why the children were removed. I knew their mother on paper – not as a human with complex emotions and history.

The first time I spoke to her was during a conference call with CPS. I was nervous to join and hear the voice of the woman I only knew through the actions that resulted in the removal of her children. The call was emotional as they discussed her service plan and goals for reunification, and for the first time, I met my foster children's mother as a person.

I heard her hesitation, fear, and sorrow in every word she spoke. I heard love in her voice when talking about her children. She was imperfect and scared. And while the reasons the children were removed were legitimate, I began to wonder if I would be any different if I didn't have the steady guidance of stable parents growing up. It was in that moment, that I loved her.

My foster children's mother has a lot of work to do for reunification, but every night I pray for her with a heart filled with love. If this is how I feel about someone whom I've had minimal interaction with and is ultimately a stranger to me, I can only imagine (and still not fully comprehend) the depth of the Love Christ has for us. A Love so strong, that He willingly came to Earth to sacrifice Himself for imperfect people to have a chance to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

It's overwhelming if you really stop to think about it. This Christmas when I look upon the Nativity, I won't just see a baby in a manger; I will see Love.

Aimee Freston is a new foster parent through Buckner, currently fostering a 5-year-old and an 8-month-old. She is learning to function with minimal sleep, on-the-go meals, late-night showers, and the Bluey theme song on repeat.