What's Best?
Mar 11, 2010
We are all too familiar with the debates that go on in Congress about what is best for our nation. In our churches there are differences of opinion about what is the best worship style, programs, and a host of other issues. Even in our own field of children’s homes and child and family issues, we have conflicting opinions about how to best prevent child abuse and neglect, and how to care for children who must be separated from their families for their own protection.
Some ask, “Is it better to place children in institutions, group homes, or foster homes?” “Should family unification be the goal or should we look toward adoption?”
I have always maintained that these are the wrong questions. The question should be, “What is best for the individual child?”
Every child and every circumstance is different. One child will respond well in a group situation; another child will do better in an individualized setting such as a foster home. That is why the Children’s Homes strives to provide as many options for children as possible — campuses with several homes, community-based group homes, shelters, Family Care homes, foster homes, and adoption. With this variety of options we then prayerfully evaluate each child’s needs and try to make the best plan possible.
Even more important than the type of placement are the qualifications of the individuals, couples, or families providing the care and their motives for serving. It is my daily prayer that God will lead the right people to us who have the right motives and the appropriate skills to meet the needs of the children who are placed in our care.
In recent months we have been blessed with many new individuals and families who want to join us in serving and making a difference in the lives of children. We invite you to be a part of this ministry by giving, serving as a foster parent or house parent, volunteering or in some other manner. I think it is time to quit arguing about what is the best way to respond to a need and simply do our best to respond to the opportunity and the need that is before us in Jesus’ name. The apostle James said that we need to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only.” I say AMEN!!
Paul Miller
Children’s Homes President/CEO
Email your questions and comments to pmiller@abchome.org.