Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families. (Psalm 68:4-6 NIV)
There’s a silly little trend making the rounds among younger generations. If someone says, “Six or seven,” they immediately respond with a hand gesture and a grin. I don’t really get it.
But somehow… it’s funny.
My oldest son and his wife have a seven-year-old foster son who absolutely lights up whenever someone says, “Six or seven.” The smile on his face is contagious.
Watching him laugh makes me smile, but it also reminds me of the story behind that smile.
This little boy has never known the consistency of a permanent home with two loving—even if imperfect—parents. Since he was three years old, he’s been in the foster care system, living with several families while also maintaining visits with his biological mother and aunt. Now my son and daughter-in-love are providing the love, structure, security, and care every child deserves. They’re helping him navigate school, establish routines, and simply learn what it means to belong.
The whole situation reminds me of how good God’s design is—and how far we, as humans, can drift from it. God’s desire is for children to be raised in homes where they are deeply loved, consistently cared for, and encouraged to become all He created them to be.
I was blessed with that gift.
Today would have been my parents’ fifty-eighth wedding anniversary. It’s funny how something as simple as a little boy’s smile can make me think of my dad. Then again, maybe it’s not so strange. Watching a child experience the security of family reminds me of the home my parents gave me. I miss my dad, and I’m deeply grateful for the years we shared.
Today, would you join me in praying for children who are still waiting for a loving, stable home? Pray for foster parents, adoptive parents, biological families working toward restoration, and for the children themselves—that they would know the love of a family and, above all, the love of their Heavenly Father.
Father to the fatherless,
Thank you for the many examples of faithful marriages and godly parenting that you give us. Father, today we come before You to pray for children and families who long for the love, security, and stability of a healthy home. Where families are broken and hurting, we ask that You would bring healing, reconciliation, and restoration whenever possible. When restoration is not possible, we pray that, in Your great mercy, You would set the lonely in families, placing every child who needs a home with the people You have prepared to love and care for them.
Strengthen foster and adoptive families with the wisdom, vision, support, and resources they need to provide safe, healthy, and loving homes where children can flourish. May Your Church be a community that welcomes, encourages, and walks alongside families of every kind with compassion and grace.
And, Lord, help us all to invest in the next generation. Give us hearts that love children well and faithfully guide them in Your ways, so they may grow to know You and walk with You all the days of their lives.
In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. (Psalm 127:3 NIV)
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6 NIV)