Don’t forget! For the month of October, applications are open for YOU to become a TFI Advocate, bridging the gap between foster care agencies and churches right in your local community. This only happens twice a year! Learn more and apply here.
I am honored and encouraged by the bravery and honesty of so many of the guests on our podcast. Today’s episode is a special one to be able to share.
Jody Golston is the biological mother of three girls. As a result of her challenging struggle with drug addiction, they entered the foster care system. Through a long journey of healing and “choosing her hard,” Jody overcame her addiction and eventually even had the opportunity to became a kinship caregiver for her nephews and spend more time with her daughters.
She has quite the story, moving from a recovering addict to a kinship caregiver and now an advocate for others connected to the foster care community. Today, Jody uses her experiences to encourage and mentor other moms who are involved with foster care through her support group, Tangled Hearts.
Jody’s story is one of recovery and restoration after the hardest days of her life, and I encourage you to listen this week.
TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY’S CONVERSATION:
1. You have to choose which “hard” you want to go through.
It’s hard to remain in your circumstances. It’s hard to overcome addiction. It’s hard to face the guilt and shame you carry. There comes a point where no matter what option we choose, it carries its own difficulties. Jody shared that we have the ability to choose which hard thing we want to go through, whether that be to stay in the “trauma and the drama” or to make a change to move towards healing.
“I did so much damage and I didn’t know how to come back from it.”
2. We have to take responsibility for our choices and decisions.
We heard in Jody’s story that one of the hardest challenges has been the disconnection between her older daughters and her youngest who was adopted by the family who fostered her. This is a reminder of the results of her choices earlier in life, and is a reminder of the reason that the hard work of healing matters deeply.
“I made a promise to myself that my girls, no matter when they came to find me, would find a woman they could be proud of.”
3. God can use YOU.
Your identity is not set in stone. You have the ability to change, heal, and be used for great things. God can come into any situation and bring about healing, restoration, and forgiveness. Your past doesn’t disqualify you from being used in incredible ways by God.
“I had been a single mom to my daughters. Without them, I didn’t know who I was.”
- Connect with Jody on Instagram, Facebook, or her website
- Apply to Become a TFI Advocate
- Join Team 3:10
Meet Our Guest
Jody Golston is a small business owner, birth mother, kinship caregiver, and mentor to moms navigating difficult life choices. She is happily married, has the privilege of parenting her oldest two daughters, and is the owner of Maid For You Cleaning Service. Jody struggled with a drug addiction, which resulted in her daughters entering the foster care system. She overcame her addiction and eventually became a kinship caregiver for her nephews. Today, Jody also uses her experiences to encourage and mentor other moms who are navigating foster care and post-placement care through her support group, Tangled Hearts.
You Can Make a Difference.
Become a TFI Advocate.
Personalized Coaching. Professional Resources. Intentional Community.
Everything you need to launch and lead a thriving ministry.
Get encouragement and updates in your inbox.
Be the first to know about new episodes, posts, resources, and stay in the loop about what’s coming up.
Other Episodes You Might Enjoy:
