A Leap of Faith: When Your Soul Knows What Your Mind Doesn’t

After months of going through all of the requirements to become a host family for Safe Families for Children, it seems we have finally made it to the end! Although we have one more step to go, we already received a call from Safe Families letting us know that once that step is complete, they will likely place a one-year-old little boy in our care.

You would think that news was received with pure elation! I was certainly happy, but I was also scared! My mind raced. I don’t have a single thing for a one-year-old in my house. I don’t even have a crib for him to sleep in. Of course, I knew this day was coming, but how do you fully prepare when you have signed up to temporarily care for newborns all the way to early elementary age children, but that’s a topic for another day.

Since learning about our involvement with Safe Families, many of our friends and family members have commended us for opening our hearts and our home to children in need. Wow, they say, “You are amazing and inspiring.” I'm grateful for those heartfelt compliments but you should know that at times I almost feel guilty accepting those compliments. In addition to all you may see, I want you to know that at times, I also feel anxious about going into this unchartered territory. Not only for me, but for us as a family. We're opening ourselves to major changes in our home, our routine, etc.

I feel called to do this. However, sometimes even when we are answering a calling, we can still drag our feet a little. Someone once told me, in life you should choose the path that you will need to rely on God the most, that’s how your faith grows. Well, I can tell you I'll likely be praying quite a bit as a host mom!

These sweet children will be away from their own mom. Many of them have endured trauma. I have learned many are homeless. Some know all to well what it's like to feel hunger pangs because their families don’t have the means to feed them. They suggest we wash their little clothes when they arrive. For some, it may have been a while since they’ve been bathed. Although my mind wanders with fearful thoughts of encountering this unknown for myself and for my family, my soul is very much at peace. At a soul-level, I know this is the path we're supposed to take. I don't know what it will look like or for how long, but it feels well with my soul right now.

I wanted to write this because I think it’s important that we recognize that people who step up to help in ways that we think we can’t, aren’t necessarily any braver or more capable than you are. The difference often comes down to who is willing to take a leap of faith.

A leap of faith is a jump onto an unknown path with hope in your heart and a belief that love will carry you through. I have a sign up on my kitchen wall similar to this one "Faith Hope Love" to remind me of this.

So to be honest with you, yes, I am scared, but I'm putting one foot in front of the other anyway. The goal in life is not to become fearless, but to do things despite your fear. Isn't that a big part of what faith is? Trusting God even when the path in front of you is unknown.

If you feel called to do something or if you want to volunteer in some capacity, don’t listen to your mind. Listen to your soul. Your mind will always try to talk you out of it, but your soul knows, and will never fail you. Your soul is your connection to God. Take that leap of faith even if you’re a little scared. Take the path you’ll need to rely on God the most and watch your faith grow.