Episode 40 - Lessons from the Every Child Symposium: Wilderness Seasons, Big Yeses, and Why Foster Parents Matter

If your church, conference, or organization would like Jason and Whitney to speak about foster care, adoption, or living a meaningful life through small acts of faithfulness, you can contact them at [e-mail] this solo episode of the Dream Small Podcast, Jason shares reflections from attending the Every Child Symposium in Central Indiana, a conference designed to encourage foster parents, adoptive families, and churches to care for vulnerable children.Jason originally attended the event to complete some required foster parent training hours, but he walked away with far more than that. The day included keynote speakers and several breakout sessions that offered honest insight into the realities of foster care.In this episode, Jason walks through some of the most powerful moments from the conference, including stories from adults who grew up in foster care and lessons that continue to shape how he and Whitney approach fostering.Breakout Session: Adults Who Grew Up in Foster CareOne of the most impactful breakout sessions Jason attended was a panel discussion with three adults who had experienced foster care and adoption.Two of the panelists had been adopted, while one man had aged out of the foster care system after spending more than ten years moving between homes.At one point in his teenage years, he told a judge he was tired of the instability and simply wanted to age out of the system rather than continue moving from home to home.Hearing that story was a sobering reminder of how difficult the foster care system can be for children who never find permanency.At the same time, seeing him now as a grown adult with a family of his own showed that a child’s story does not end with the foster care system.Lessons from the Keynote SessionsJason also reflects on several powerful moments from the keynote speakers.1. The Wilderness is a Place of FormationPastor Josh Cortez opened the conference with a message about the wilderness seasons we experience in life.In Scripture, the wilderness is often where God prepares people for what comes next. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness before beginning His ministry.Foster care can feel like a wilderness.It can mean isolation, uncertainty, hospital stays with children who are not biologically yours, and seasons where you don’t know what the future holds.But those seasons are not wasted. They are often where God forms and strengthens us.2. Accept Assignments That Outsize YouOne quote that stuck with Jason was:“Accept assignments that outsize you.”Foster care often feels exactly like that.From the first “yes” to becoming a foster parent to saying yes to placements that stretch your comfort zone, the journey frequently requires stepping into situations that feel bigger than your capacity.Jason shares several moments in his own family’s foster care journey that felt like assignments bigger than they were ready for, including:• Saying yes to their first foster placement• Expanding the age ranges of children they would accept• Continuing to foster during Whitney’s cancer treatments• Buying a giant van to accommodate their growing familyEach one required trusting God with something that felt overwhelming.3. Don’t Underestimate What God Can Do Through a Submitted LifeAnother quote from the conference that stuck with Jason was:“Don’t underestimate what God can do with a submitted vessel.”When we say yes to God in obedience, we often have no idea how He may use those moments to impact the lives of others.For foster parents, that obedience may look like opening your home, loving a child through a difficult season, or simply showing up when things feel hard.Those small acts of faithfulness can have generational impact.The “First Chair” in a Child’s Faith StoryOne illustration from the conference walked through the biblical genealogy from Rahab to King David, using a series of chairs to represent generations of faith.For many children in foster care, a foster parent may be the first person who introduces them to a relationship with God.That means foster parents may be the first chair in a child’s spiritual legacy, something that could shape generations that follow.Encouragement for Foster ParentsOne of the most encouraging parts of the symposium was simply being surrounded by other families walking the same journey.Foster care can often feel isolating, but events like the Every Child Symposium are a reminder that there are many others faithfully stepping into this work.And while foster care is rarely easy, the small, faithful acts of love shown to children today may shape stories for generations.If this episode encouraged you, share it with another foster parent or someone considering foster care.You can follow the Dream Small Podcast and join the conversation as we continue exploring what it looks like to live a meaningful life through small, intentional acts of love.Email: [e-mail]: @...