“I’m told by the ‘church’ to keep this baby, to give my baby life, but those are the same people who judge me for being a teen mom after I did what they said was right.”I read the message I received from a past student, a young girl I had been a camp counselor for a few years prior. We were both pregnant with our first baby, but the differences in our circumstances were wildly different. I was 26 and married, she was 16 or 17 and single. I had people to support me through my pregnancy and this new venture of parenthood, while she did not. In that moment, reading her words, the reality of our vastly different situations impacted me deeply.
The Bible emphasizes the importance of caring for the fatherless, highlighting God's role as a protector and provider for those without a father figure, and instructing believers to do the same.
James 1:27, a verse we’re all probably very familiar with, states,
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Orphans, or rather foster care and adoption have always been commonly talked about in my life. My mom was a social worker and had teens live with her before she was married. My parents had teenagers in the foster care system living in their home early in their marriage. Four of my cousins were adopted through private adoptions organizations, and then later four of my siblings were adopted out of the foster care system. Foster care, adoption, birth parents, abuse, drugs, and even failed adoption, were not rare topics of conversation or kept from my vocabulary. Yet, I read that message from my camper and sat silent as I pondered if I was actively doing anything to care for the orphans or fatherless.
In essence, the Bible promotes a compassionate and a just society where the fatherless are cared for and protected. Christians are called to reflect God's character and the Bible emphasizes the importance of extending love and support to the vulnerable. If we read the previous verse (James 1:27) in context then we’ll understand that James is telling believers that you can’t just listen/read the word but have no action that follows.
James 1:22-27
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
If you’re looking for actionable steps to care for the vulnerable as the Bible commands, here are a few ideas:
Become a licensed foster or adoptive parent. As of 2022 there are 4,000 children in the foster care system in Iowa and 1,603,500 professing Christians in Iowa.You do that math.
Safe Families for Children - Safe Families for Children is rooted in faith, fueled by radical hospitality, disruptive generosity, and intentional compassion, to build a network of caring and compassionate volunteers to support families facing social isolation.
Give time and finances to organizations like Inner Vision Health Care, Dorthy’s House, Clothing Closet, or others who are caring for the vulnerable.
Bring a meal, clothes, bedding, toys, diapers, volunteer to babysit, intentionally look for ways to encourage, serve, and actively pray for families who are fostering and for single parents caring for children.
Taking care of orphans is not an easy calling. This part of life is messy. The brokenness in many of these situations is not how God created or intended life to be. Similar to our own adoption into His heavenly kingdom, something awful (sin) occurred and left us broken, alone, vulnerable, and in need of a relationship with Him; just as earthly children are left alone, vulnerable and in need of relationship. We must do what the Word says and look after orphans.
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