““A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.””
— Psalm 68:5

A FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

Of all the ways the Lord God Almighty could have chosen to relate to humanity, He chose the language of family.

We all have a need to be loved, cherished, protected, and valued. Not all have earthly fathers who will meet those needs, and none of us have earthly fathers who will meet them perfectly. But God will.

Jesus taught His followers to address God as Father (Luke 11:2). Throughout Scripture, God describes His love for us as that of a caring parent (Isaiah 49:15; John 16:26–27; 2 Corinthians 6:18). Although He possesses and bestows characteristics of both father and mother (Isaiah 66:13), He identifies as Father, denoting His strength, protection, and provision (Psalm 54:4).

God has a special place in His heart for the orphans and fatherless (Deuteronomy 24:20; Jeremiah 49:11; James 1:27). Psalm 27:10 says, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.” God knows that many times earthly fathers have been absent or have not done their job (Ephesians 6:4). He offers to fill the role of a Father (John 6:37; Deuteronomy 1:31). He invites us to call out to Him when we are in trouble (Psalm 50:15), to cast all our worries on Him (1 Peter 5:7), and to enjoy His company (1 Corinthians 1:9: Psalm 116:1; 1 John 5:14). He models for us the characteristics He had in mind when He designed fatherhood. Although many times earthly fathers do not live up to the ideal, God promises that, in Him, no one has to be without a perfect Father.

“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

A PROBLEM THAT BREAKS THE HEART OF FATHER GOD

  • There are nearly 900 children in foster care in St. Clair County, more than any other county in the state of Illinois outside Chicago.

  • The number of children entering foster care in Illinois annually is rising at a staggering rate.

  • There aren’t enough foster families to adequately care for the rising number of children entering care.

  • Agency workers and court staff are buried under unreasonable caseloads making it extraordinarily difficult for them to bring healing to children and families.

  • In Illinois, 39% of children in foster care spend time in four or more foster homes.

  • Illinois is also ranked last out of 50 states in permanency outcomes for children, meaning our children stay in foster care longer than in any other state.

  • Disillusioned, isolated, and overwhelmed, most foster parents quit within the first year.

““I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.””
— Jesus Christ in John 14:18 ESV

THE HANDS AND FEET OF CHRIST

Mercy’s Door has partnered with The Restore Network of St. Clair County to extend the care of Christ to children in foster care and to foster parents.

The Restore Network works to support foster parents while children are in their care, to love children in foster care and their families, to increase Christian awareness of and participation in the foster care system, and to assist state agencies in their ability to find and make healthy placements.

How can we help?

Click here to read the full brochure for the Restore Network partnership.

Ready to serve? Sign up here. Select “Restore Network” from the drop-down list.