Gravity

Over the years and for varying lengths of time, my wife and I have had the privilege to be foster parents to a number of different children.  One of those was an amazing little 3-year-old girl that affectionately earned the nickname of my “Upside Down Girl”.   

Each day when I came home, her face would light up and she’d launch herself at me with the full expectation and trust that I’d catch her and “fly” her upside down around the house.   

Despite whatever weight or “gravity” of the day I had brought home with me, the incredible joy she expressed in those upside-down flights was enough to lighten my mood.  While any given day might have been seeking to write a narrative in my heart and mind of weariness or frustration, those upside-down flights had an amazing ability to rewrite the narrative of my day. 

Each night as we put her to bed, we’d tell her that she was fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who loved her.  We’d pray for her and her parents and sing the old song “Jesus Loves Me”.

I will always remember waking up one morning to the sound from her bedroom down the hall as she was singing perhaps the most profound and beautiful theological truth any of us could ever seek to understand - “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.”   

I know as she continues to age that this world will throw its worst at her and seek to weave so many destructive narratives into her heart and mind.  (“You are not good enough”, “You will fail”, “You are alone and no one cares”, etc).  My prayer for my upside girl was and remains that she “being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that (she) may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3: 17-19)

I was honored to record this song with my great friend and long-time music collaborator Mark Allen Johnson at his Groove Dog Studio.  I was also once again honored to work with the wonderfully talented cellist Ruthie Wilde.  It was great to have a first opportunity to work with talented violinist Margaret Burdick. 
 
It was also really, really cool to have my oldest son (aka GaryBoy3) help me in putting this lyric video together.  He is a gifted kid and I’m darn lucky to be his dad!

As you read this, there are children all across the country in the foster care system - just like my “upside down girl” was.  This world is seeking to rip their minds and hearts with narratives that are destructive and untrue.  My hope and prayer is that there are men and women all across the country that are willing to stand up and play a part in helping to rewrite the narratives competing for these kids’ hearts.  

I’ve had the opportunity to connect with a number of great organizations that are stepping up to help rewrite the narrative in the lives of foster children.  I’d encourage you to check them out and join them in this incredibly important work. 

For the Children - Wendy McMahan and the great team are doing amazing work in mobilizing the local Church to create life-changing moments for children who have experienced relational trauma. 

Christian Family Care - Mark Upton and team are coming alongside children, families and churches to envision a future in which every child is loved and nurtured in a Christ-centered family.

Lifeline Children’s Services - Herbie Newell, Pastor Chris and the team are equipping the Body of Christ to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children.

For Others - David Nasser and team are partnering with organizations, community partners, and carers to offer holistic services for at-risk families and children.

Child Bridge - Mary Bryan has built a team seeking to inspire a movement of fearless, joyful ambassadors of Christ who fight for children who bear the invisible marks of being unseen, unheard and unwanted.

Arizona127 - I’ve got to brag on my wife a bit on this one.  My wife has an amazing heart and has come along to encourage and support so, so many foster families over the years (I'm darn lucky to be her husband!).  She’s currently serving on the board for this org and coming alongside Katie O’Dell and team as they seek to train AZ churches on how to best recruit and care for the members of their congregation engaged in the ministry of foster care and adoption.

While the problems of foster care are huge, they can be dwarfed and eclipsed by churches that are willing to stand up and make a difference.   To quote a singer that I love (but have never had the chance to meet) “Love is bigger than anything in its way”.  

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