I HATE Video Games

Ok, so I said it.  I hate video games.  If I could take all the video gaming systems of the world and eliminate them from the face of the planet, I wouldn't even hesitate.  What could possibly be negative implications of removing them?  That's right.  Nothing.

"Oh, crap.  Now that I can't play video games,  I guess I will go outside and get some exercise."
"Let's play with Lego's, since the PlayStation is broken," a child sighed heavily.
The husband thought, "Well, since Xbox is broken, I guess I will spend quality time with my wife and kids."
"Maybe I can talk to some people I know in person and spend time with my actual friends than the virtual friends I pretend to shoot on the (whatever game)."

My foster son told me a secret, one he was not supposed to share.  Before he was placed with me, he said he played rated "M" games.  That's right.  The parents are allowing him to play such games, and their parenting strategy was to just keep it a secret.  They know better.  This is not a result of ignorance, or they would not have felt the need to keep it from other people. So even those who love video games would support  the notion that a small, young child playing rated "M" games is inappropriate.

If you look at children who bully others in school, and even most of the kids who are bullied, their list of favorite activities would NOT include:  a variety of sports, hiking, biking, hunting, (anything that would be in nature), etc.

But, overwhelmingly, my unscientific guess based on my years as a teacher, bullies AND EVEN THEIR VICTIMS would probably have a common interest....you guessed it, video games.

Lytle Lodge: No Vacancy

Friday, we received a phone call.  Then before we knew it, we welcomed a 7-year old boy to live with us. Exhaustion is the first word that comes to mind.  This is our first placement, and this is his first time to be "in the system."  So we will learn how to do this together.  Court date is Wednesday, and I will try to update how things are going.  But there is a good chance I won't have time.  Or energy.

Lytle Lodge: Vacancy

After about 7 months, we are finally open.  Certified.  Ready. (At least legally.)  We can now accept foster children into our home.  We can get a call at any time being asked to take a waiting child.  So, the Lodge has a vacancy.

I have been asked several times if our purpose of being foster parents is to adopt.  Are you planning on adopting?  Are you open to adopting?  Will you adopt?  How will you not adopt someone you have become attached to?  These are valid questions albeit difficult ones to answer.

Adoption is wonderful.  I have adopted family members.  I will have more adopted family members, from both sides of the family tree.  Adoption is a key theme of the gospel itself.  I am adopted into God's family through Jesus.  BUT....

If we adopt, we can't foster.  Bottom line.  Our small, less than 1400 sq. ft. house would not be certifiable for fostering if we add a permanent child, giving us 4. We wouldn't be able to provide this child with his/her own bedroom (a requirement).  Adoption would end this ministry until we either bought a bigger house (which we can't afford), or one of my children moved out.  BUT...

Is adopting "better" than fostering?  Is giving one child a permanent mommy, daddy, brothers, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, a sense of belonging, etc. better than being a temporary advocate for a child who needs help?

Though I have no clear-cut answers for these questions, here are some thoughts:

• When fostering, one of the goals is reunification.  I hope to see the families of these foster children grow, learn, and accept Jesus then reconcile with the child God blessed them with.  
• When fostering, a goal is that a negative parenting cycle can be broken.  This can change the entire life course for these families and their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.  
• When fostering, a goal is to stay open to the idea of adoption and follow the Holy Spirit's leading.  He knows if adopting one child is the correct path for the Lytle Lodge, or if keeping the Lodge open for fostering is more fruitful for His Kingdom.  

So, because I don't know for certain and because I serve an omniscient God, I can rest in the fact that I don't know which is "better".

But I know both are good.