Over the last few weeks the instructors of our foster care training class have mentioned the word "Advocate" several times; as a foster parent you are advocating for the child staying in your home. 

The word keeps coming back to me- even when I am not doing foster care related things. 

Advocate. 

According to Webster's dictionary the word advocate means several things. 1) To speak or write in favor of 2) a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person 3) A person who pleads for or in behalf of another. 

As a a foster parent, I know it means that I support and will help a child to live healthy and grow and developmentally, emotionally, and socially while they are living in home - to make sure the child's best interest is considered in all things. 

But, I keep thinking beyond just foster care- what does being an advocate look like in my whole life. In the Bible it talks about how Jesus is our advocate as He is the one who comes to our aid when we sin, to stand by us and pleade our case before God - and if I am supposed to be like Jesus - what does being an advocate look like for me - a 25 year old girl from Kansas. 

I don't like New Years Resolutions - because they are often broken and cause disappointment. But this year, I felt that God gave me a word to guide my year by - Reach Out.

This year I want to reach out beyond what is comfortable to me. I want to reach out and help the hurting and the broken. I want to be stretched in order to show people how great and loving my Jesus is - not through my words but through my actions. I don't want to judge others by how they look or the circumstance they are in - I want my heart to love them like Jesus. 

There are so many hurting people that surround me each day. Individuals, both men and women, that want to know that they are worth it. They want to know, even in the midst of their problems and situations, that they are no less desirable or loved - that someone is willing to defend them. 

Grant it - it is only January so I am sure that I have a lot to learn this year about Reaching Out, being stretched out my past comfort zone, and learning to truly love unconditionally - but I am excited to see what is in store.

I want to reach out - whatever it looks like, whatever it feels like , wherever it takes me.  My prayer is that when God opens a door for me to able to reach out that I will be quick to respond and not reluctant-  yet, another lesson in learning to trust. 

"If you want to be a bridge to Jesus for the world, prepared to be stepped on." - Matthew Barnett, founder of the Dream Center