“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” – James 1:27 (ESV)
You’ve probably heard this verse if you’ve ever been to an adoption or foster care training, attended a conference that discussed child welfare, or even just sat through your fair share of sermons. The message of this verse couldn’t be clearer: God cares deeply about the most vulnerable, and we should too! My guests for this conversation know all about this calling and are here to talk about what it can look like in practice.
David and Julie Zimmer have been married for 15 years and are parents to four children together—three by birth and one through foster care. David is the Head of Production and Promotion at Sovereign Grace Music in Louisville, KY. Julie volunteers at BSide U 4 Life, a local pregnancy care center in downtown Louisville, where she supports vulnerable families by offering childcare to parents attending GED, parenting, and Bible classes. David and Julie are passionate about foster care and dedicated to standing in the gap for children and families in need.
In this episode, you’ll hear about the emotional challenges that come along with fostering, the importance of investing in your marriage, the necessity of acknowledging our limitations, and much more.
TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY’S CONVERSATION:
1. Consider the commitment before you foster.
Within the foster care community, there is no shortage of stories that are marked by great hardship. When we’re stepping into broken situations and walking alongside people navigating crises, struggles and obstacles are bound to occur. That’s why, when someone is considering becoming a foster parent, it’s important to be aware of the challenging realities this role can entail. It’s also key to look at ourselves honestly and ask if we have the time, energy, and emotional bandwidth needed to step up in this way. Take some time to consider your unique situation so you can determine which role in the foster care community would be the best fit for you.
“I think it was the kindness of the Lord that we waited—I see just how He needed to do some more work in us during that time to help refine our limitations.”
2. We are all called to serve—but not in the same way.
There is a distinct call found in Scripture to serve the vulnerable. As Christians, that’s a responsibility we all share. None of us are exempt from it. However, this does not mean that becoming a foster parent is the right fit for everyone. Some people will be called to offer respite care, others to provide meals, others to cover a family in prayer—the list goes on and on. The ways we serve may look different depending on what season of life we are in, but we should all be taking intentional steps to care for the vulnerable.
“We don’t have an option of not participating in the caring of the vulnerable. That is the call as a Christian we see in James 1:27.”
3. Your efforts have an impact.
There are so many times when a child is in our lives for only a short period of time. Sometimes, we may worry that we didn’t have enough time to make a big difference. But whether it’s for a month, a week, or even just a day, the love and care you are able to show a child is never in vain, nor is it wasted. We can’t control the circumstances of a child’s situation, but we do serve a God who has a wonderful plan for every child. If you’ve been feeling discouraged, or if you’ve ever had a placement end and wondered if your time made any difference, I’m here to tell you that it did. The story isn’t finished yet, and the time and love you gave to that child and their family matters.
“I’ve found myself needing to hand all those things over to the Lord. None of this is in vain. I am not loving him in vain. The Lord is using it in his life.”
Meet Our Guest
David and Julie Zimmer have been married for 15 years and are parents to four children together—three by birth and one through foster care. David has worked as a touring and studio musician, artist, songwriter, and worship leader in Burbank, CA. In 2019, the family relocated to Louisville, KY, where David joined Sovereign Grace Music as the Head of Production and Promotion. Julie volunteers at BSide U 4 Life, a local pregnancy care center in downtown Louisville, where she supports vulnerable families by offering childcare to parents attending GED, parenting, and Bible classes. They are passionate about foster care and standing in the gap for children and families in need.
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