“We may not all be called to foster or adopt but we are all called to do something.”

I first heard this quote during a training session at our church, and it has stayed with me. It shaped the way I think about serving others and challenged me to consider what my “something” might be. For me, that “something” is serving as a CASA—a Court Appointed Special Advocate—and being a voice for vulnerable children when they have none.

Children often enter the system by no fault of their own, yet they often suffer the deepest consequences of others’ actions—or in some cases, inaction. Abuse, neglect, instability, and trauma are realities no child should have to face, yet so many do. What makes it even more complex is that most of these kids still truly love their biological parents, even if those parents have harmed them. That tension can be confusing and painful for a child to process.

Many of these children struggle to understand what a safe, loving, stable environment truly looks like. Furthermore, they may not realize they deserve that kind of environment. As a CASA, part of my role is to help them to begin to see their own worth—to remind them they are valuable, they matter, their voice matters, and they deserve to feel safe and loved regardless of what brought them into the system.

One of my favorite parts of being a CASA is relationship building. My goal is to develop a relationship with each child that promotes trust, a sense of safety, and a relationship in which the child feels seen, heard, worthy, and valued. Developing that safe relationship involves gaining the child's trust. I get to know who they are—their likes and dislikes, their fears and worries, their personalities, passions, and dreams. Sometimes building that relationship looks like showing up to a soccer game and cheering them on from the sidelines. Other times, it’s attending a school concert or event and celebrating their accomplishments, no matter how big or small. It might be visiting with them in their home, playing games together, riding bikes, exploring a nearby park, or sitting with them in the hard and messy moments. While these efforts may seem simple, for a child who has experienced instability, they can mean everything. Developing this type of relationship does not happen overnight. A trusting relationship, especially with children who have experienced trauma, takes time, patience, and consistency.

Of course, not every child is immediately receptive to this kind of relationship. Some children are hesitant, guarded, or even resistant. And honestly, that makes sense. Many of them have experienced broken trust with adults in their lives, so it’s natural for them to question my intentions or keep their distance.

That resistance can be extremely challenging. I have had to learn not every child will connect with me in the way I hope. But my responsibility doesn’t change based on their response. My “job” remains the same: keep showing up. Keep reminding them they are loved, valuable, and they deserve a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. That said, it certainly makes things a little easier (and a lot more fun) when they actually look forward to seeing me.

While there are many rewarding moments in this work, there are also some incredibly difficult ones. One of the hardest parts of being a CASA is when the court makes a decision I do not feel is in the best interest of the child.

Recently, I was involved in a case that continues to weigh heavily on my heart. In this case, the judge ruled the two children for whom I was advocating should be adopted by their biological grandmother while their mother served jail time. On the surface, placing children with a biological family member should have been considered a positive outcome, and in many cases, it would have been. Maintaining family connection can provide a sense of identity and continuity for children.

However, in this particular situation, there were significant concerns. The grandmother had several challenges of her own, including medical issues, limited transportation, the responsibility of caring for her non-verbal special needs adult child, and financial instability. On top of that, she was attempting to care for these two very active high needs children who had experienced significant trauma.

One of these kids exhibited extremely defiant and aggressive behaviors, struggled with school attendance, and was eventually expelled from school. It became increasingly clear the grandmother, despite her love for her grandchildren, was not equipped to manage their needs long-term. Even though she did not admit this openly, the situation was overwhelming to her.  

As their CASA, I made these concerns clear in my reports to the court. I advocated for what I believed would provide the most stability and support for the children. Despite this, the court ultimately decided adoption by their grandmother was the best option for these children. That decision was incredibly difficult for me to accept.

Even though the case is now closed, I think about those two kids often. I wonder how they are doing. I hope they are safe. I hope they are being well cared for, even in difficult circumstances. Most of all, I hope they know deep down they are worthy of love, stability, and care.

One of the hardest parts of closing a case is the lack of continued contact. Unless the children or parents reach out to me, I am not supposed to maintain a relationship with them. After investing so much time, energy, and heart into their lives, that separation can feel abrupt and painful. Not knowing how they are doing is something I continue to wrestle with. I pray for my former CASA kids and their parents regularly. In those moments I have to lean into faith. I have to trust that God sees them, loves them, and is watching over them. I trust He will place other caring, supportive people in their lives—teachers, coaches, family members—who will continue to pour into them, advocate for them, and reach out to necessary people if services are needed.  

Serving as a CASA has allowed me to use my God-given talents, my experience as a sister with two siblings who were adopted through the foster care system, and my passion for those who feel they have no voice to do “something.” It has reminded me of what many children are facing, and it has challenged me to step into uncomfortable spaces. I am learning patience, resilience, and the power of simply showing up.

It’s not always easy. In fact, it’s often emotionally challenging. But it is deeply meaningful work.

Not everyone is called to serve in this exact role. But I still believe that quote I heard years ago is true: we are all called to do something. Whether that looks like fostering, mentoring, volunteering, supporting families in need, or simply being a consistent, caring presence in a child’s life—there is always a way to make a difference. For me, that something is being a CASA, and—despite the challenges—I wouldn’t trade it for anything.


Learn more about True Vine, Pathway's Adoption and Foster Care Ministry, HERE.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Seeds Among Thorns

One of the most sobering warnings Jesus ever gave wasn’t aimed at rebels or scoffers—it was aimed at busy, distracted believers prone to wandering toward created things rather than the Creator.

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” (Luke 8:14, NIV)

Luke 8:14 reminds us that the greatest threat to our spiritual life is often not persecution or false teaching but overcrowding. The soil is not hard. The seed is not dead. The problem is competition.

Riches and pleasures become “thorns” when they move from being a tool to becoming a trust. Over time, the pursuit, protection, or enjoyment of money competes with devotion to God. The result is not immediate spiritual death but being spiritually stuck—faith that never matures into full obedience and fruitfulness.

Jesus’ warning about overcrowding challenges me, because chasing our own kingdoms is everywhere around us. The enemy would love nothing more than for us to live convinced that a faith that isn’t growing is a faith that is just fine.

The good news is thorny soil can be restored, and God desires to restore it! Jesus tells this parable not to discourage believers, but to awaken them before “good” competition threatens to crowd out the very thing we were created to pursue and enjoy: Him.

Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.

Learn more about Thrive Financial Ministry HERE.

It is very common for parents who adopt or foster to lose some of their friends. When a parent welcomes a child into their family, they are giving their family to that child. In some instances, that child has begun life outside of a family structure. Oftentimes, families welcoming a child will do something called cocooning. They will make their family's world small for a time. This is done to show the child what a family is and to give the child time to slowly pick up on and join the rhythms of the family. For a child who has already lost a set of parents and possibly siblings, it is extremely hard to trust others. Especially for a child who does not remember them or being part of a family at all.  

Oftentimes, children take years to adjust. Sometimes, the support of friends and neighbors dwindles and fades. Other people’s expectations of the adjustment period are often based on their experiences with biological children. The result is that families who foster and adopt are given support for the first month or two. Not the first year or five.

Children who are being fostered and adopted need more time to adjust due to their histories and the often unprocessed grief of losing their first family. It can be challenging for neighbors, friends, and family to understand why extended support could be needed. Added to that, when someone is simply trying to “survive”, they do not have the capacity to continually educate others.  

Sometimes being vulnerable and asking for help feels harder and riskier than trying to manage on your own. Sometimes the possibility of feeling judged keeps parents from asking for help. Parents can feel judgment from grandparents, other family members, friends, neighbors, church members, and community members. Most people operate from the perspective of raising biological children.  

So, what can be done?  

Maybe you have a friend who is a foster or adoptive parent and you are wondering what you could do to help. Maybe you aren’t as close as you were before your friend began this journey. Maybe you stopped reaching out because your friend would show up late to lunch or coffee. Maybe your friend would cancel plans at the last minute. So you decided to stop inviting and stop planning time with that friend. It just became too hard. And you know what? That friend probably doesn’t blame you.  

But speaking as someone who has had friends fall away after adopting, we hope you will think of us and reach out. We hope you won’t give up on us. We hope you will think of us with fondness and not disappointment.  

If you’re the friend who stopped reaching out and you now miss the friendship, this is your sign to act. Don’t let the fear that 'too much time has passed' stop you from checking in. It probably hasn't. I’ve never heard of anyone being angry about someone stopping by to say, “Hi” and drop off coffee. I’ve never heard of anyone being disgruntled about receiving a text letting them know a warm meal will be dropped off tonight.    

That friend who adopted or fostered and then became inconsistent is probably just treading water in their life, just trying to make it through one day at a time. That friend is probably lonely. That friend could probably really use YOU. To listen without judgement. To drop off a hot coffee or warm meal. To send a text or note saying you were thinking of them. To send a text with the prayer you said for their family.  

Taking that step may feel a little awkward at first. The friend might be surprised. That friend will also appreciate being thought of. So, if you read this and you are not someone who’s fostered or adopted, reach out to that friend, neighbor, family member who has. Send some encouragement. They need it. We all do.

And if you are the adoptive or foster parent, you can also send the text. Let someone into your life. Ask a friend to meet for coffee or dinner. Say yes and then show up to something you are invited to attend. Even if you will be late. Just show up. Let people in. Let the Lord care for you through his followers. Experience the joy of community again. You need it.

Learn more about True Vine, Pathway's Adoption and Foster Care Ministry, HERE.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Why Vipers Are Not Cool

John the Baptist is one of the more curious figures in the Gospels because of his odd behaviors, edgy sermons, and passionate pursuit of God! Yet, in one of his sermons found in Luke 3:2-18, John lays out the path of pursuing God plainly for everyone to understand and it’s not what we would think!

First, he calls out everyone in attendance, as if he is testing their heart and their motives, by labeling them a “brood of vipers.” I will never forget my Greek professor telling us that this was as bad as a curse word today and everyone would have taken offense to it.

John continues that God’s judgment is coming for anyone whose heart is not fully devoted to God, and we cannot hide behind the family we were born into (if we are Jewish) rather our fruit, or the life we live, will confirm how devoted we are to God.
To the bulk of the crowd, John says, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” (verse 11)

To the tax collectors, John says, "Don’t collect any more than you are required to." (verse 13)

To the Roman soldiers, John says, "Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” (verse 14)

Each part of the crowd was challenged by John the Baptist to leverage their clothing, their food, their money, or their contentment in the fruit of their life.

As you listen to John today, which of the points of his sermon is the hardest for you live out right now?

What needs to change in your heart to live the fruitful life that John is calling us to live?

Brian Beall is one of the pastors at Pathway. He and his wife, Sheri, are leading their children to wisely manage their income, so that they can thrive as adults.

Learn more about Pathway's Thrive Financial Ministry.

In conversation, a friend recently made a comment that has stuck with me. She said, “The adoption and foster care community is such a community anchored in grief.” Before that comment I had an awareness of the grief. I recognized and felt the grief. It arrived once I put a face and name to a child halfway around the world who would become my daughter. As I prepared to adopt her, I began to love her. I loved her before I met her. That is when I began to grieve the separation from her. I grieved not knowing if she was being loved. I grieved not knowing the sound of her voice. I grieved not knowing what it felt like to hold her in my arms.      

Once we met her and began to care for her, my love for her grew. As we bonded, I began to try to see the situation from her eyes. I could see so much fear and confusion in her eyes. So much grief. Grief she could not yet name. Always there below the surface.  

Grief is a big part of adoption and foster care. Children in these spaces arrive here without any warning. They lose one family before they gain another. They lose a home, bed, familiar people, smells, sounds, and objects. Even babies adopted on the day of their birth cannot escape the trauma of losing their biological mother.    

Recognizing grief as part of parenting a child who is not biologically yours is an important part of this puzzle. You can’t out-love, out-parent, out-disciple grief. And you certainly can’t control when it enters a moment or how it is felt.    

I remember cleaning my kitchen as my children played in the next room. As I cleaned I felt a wave of love and thankfulness for my kids. A wave of grief immediately followed. It was as if a new understanding suddenly hit me as I recalled an earlier moment. That day at lunch, my daughter asked me if her siblings began as babies in my tummy. She also asked me if she began as a baby in someone else's tummy. As I answered her questions, I saw looks of understanding more of her story play across her little face. There was a moment as I spoke when she suddenly put her hand up. She wanted me to stop talking. The grief was too much to take in. Too much for her at that moment. The grief of realizing she lost one mother stopped her. She froze. I could see her taking in my words. After she sat for a moment, she decided that was all she was ready for right now. We sat quietly for a while. Sometimes, there just aren’t any words that will comfort. Presence and silence are needed.      

Something changes inside of you when you welcome a vulnerable child into your home. That world moves from out there somewhere, to making a difference in the life of one child, to being broken by the brokenness. In some instances that flips your reality upside down. The brokenness that began on the fringes has now moved into your home. That changes you. And nothing, I mean nothing, can prepare you for the grief that brings. Grief over children living through hard things. Grief that you are so grateful for this child who had to lose parents in order for you to now have the privilege of being his/her parent. Grief that this child that you now love more than you ever thought possible has a deep hurt you will never be able to heal. The veil is pulled back to show that love actually is not enough. We love to think it is. But, it’s not. Love absolutely does not heal all wounds.  

Thankfully, we have a God who knows all about grief. He experienced grief as a man on this earth. And He does not leave us in our grief. He moves towards us. He prays for us. He collects our tears. He suffered and died for our sins. And He continues to move towards us today. There is no grief too dark or deep for Him. He is the light in the darkness. And He calls us to be salt and light too. To move toward children who need protection. He calls us to embrace grief in His name. Because He is the one true God who conquered death and the grave.  

Learn more about True Vine, Pathway's Adoption and Foster Care Ministry, HERE.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Why do we give as followers of Christ?

The truth of the gospel is that Jesus’ sacrifice through his death and resurrection gives us immeasurable grace — a new relationship with the God of the universe. We can’t earn this relationship through giving to God. He already owns cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10).

Why do we give? Take time this week to read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. Paul acknowledges the generosity of the Macedonians who saw the ability to share in service to the Lord’s people as a privilege. I love what Barbara Hughes shared in reference to this passage:

“The grace of giving has nothing to do with being well off. It isn’t dictated on ability. It is a willingness to give…. They gave their hearts to God, and they gave themselves to other believers, which in turn resulted in their giving what they had to the work of Christ. This is where grace giving begins — in giving ourselves completely to God.”

My prayer for the body of Christ as Pathway Community Church is that our hearts would be moved in giving ourselves completely to God. He has certainly given himself to us!

Hughes, B. (2013). Disciplines of a Godly Woman. Crossway.

Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.

Learn more about Thrive Financial Ministry HERE.

When a couple chooses to adopt a child internationally, one of the many decisions that must be made is what medical needs you as parents believe you would be able to provide care for. In some instances, you have to look over a long list of medical conditions and decide if you would be willing and able to care for a child with that need. The idea of that list always felt overwhelming to me. How could I possibly make an accurate and informed decision? I was not even familiar with half of the conditions on the list. And it felt like it would take forever to become acquainted with each condition and then decide if we were up to the task of caring for a child with that condition.  

Thankfully, we never had to check boxes on that list. We identified our child early enough to fill out that form to accommodate for the needs our child had. At the time that eased tension and gave me some relief. We just had to learn about the medical condition of a real child. Our child. At that point, we were naive about what lay ahead. There was also some conflicting medical information, so we weren’t really sure the extent of the medical needs our child would have. We just planned to see doctors as quickly as possible.  

When we met our child, I remember changing her clothes for bed. Seeing her scar from a previous surgery for the first time. That is when the magnitude of her medical condition really began to sink in. That is when my confidence began to crack. It was so much easier to trust God and His plan for our family when the child we were pursuing was on another continent. It was easier to believe we could meet needs when everything was hypothetical. Up to that point, the biggest medical intervention we had faced was when one of our kids needed a couple stitches on his chin. We had no idea just how unprepared we were.

Ten days after we arrived back home in the U.S. we saw a specialist. Seeing that doctor was at the top of our list. We wanted answers to our questions. To know what the future held for our child and our family. Would our child require just regular check-ups with a specialist? One surgery? Multiple surgeries? A possible organ transplant? We wanted answers. We wanted a plan.

Instead of a plan, we began to really learn about our child’s condition and medical needs. We began to form a baseline for how this condition looked for this child. In some ways, we felt confident and hopeful. In others, we felt overwhelmed and afraid.  

I vividly remember the first time our daughter was ill. It was that evening as I was getting her ready for bed that I had an internal meltdown. After I got her to sleep, I sat next to her and cried. Then, I began to pray. As I prayed, I told God how unqualified I was to parent this child. I told God the biggest medical hurdle I had faced as a parent was stitches. I asked God what he was doing? Why would he think it was a good idea for me to parent a child with what could someday be major medical needs? Surely there was someone else more qualified. If I felt this afraid of a fever and a cold, how would I be able to handle surgery? Surely God had made a mistake.  

Thankfully there was time to adjust and learn before surgery for this child was ever part of our lives. I wish I could say that when that time came, I was ready. However, I know now that no one is ever ready for their child to have any kind of surgery. The months leading up to my daughter’s surgery were hard. I have never felt more anxious than I did during that time.  

The morning of surgery we waited in a room with our daughter. When it was time for her to go back and get ready, we had to watch her be escorted away. Then, we walked down a hall to a surgical waiting area where we would receive one update each hour for 5-6 hours. As we began to walk down that hall it took every ounce of strength I had not to turn around and run after our daughter. Every fiber of my being screamed, “I changed my mind! I do not want to do this anymore!” As we walked to the waiting area, I silently prayed for our daughter as tears streamed down my face.  

The waiting felt slow. I tried to distract myself but I couldn’t really focus on anything. I listened to music and read my Bible. I watched for the nurse who would give updates. I looked around at the other parents also waiting on updates about their children.  

Then, once surgery finally ended, we had to wait to be able to see our daughter. We had to be escorted back to the ICU. Upon arrival, we had to check into the nurses’ station, get badges, and learn the rules. Then, they asked if we had any questions. I’ve wondered many times if any parents ever ask any questions. I was so focused on getting to my daughter as fast as I could, I did not listen to one word. The only questions I wanted answered were about how my child was. If she was awake yet. And I wasn’t planning on leaving her side once I got to her. So, I could care less about how to get out or back into the unit.  

Nothing prepared me for seeing my daughter after surgery. She was groggy. Asking for me. Crying, in pain. I wanted to scoop her up into my arms. However, all I could do was hold her hand. Tell her I was there. Tell her I would continue to be there. She drifted in and out of sleep.  

The recovery and time spent in the hospital was tough. But as I sat in the hospital with my daughter, God began to open my eyes to see my daughter’s resiliency. Her strength.  

God brought to my mind how my daughter may have had her first surgery as a baby on another continent, alone. Without parents or caregivers. But, God is serious about redemption and restoration. He is a God who makes all things new. This time she was not alone. She had parents who were there to meet her every need. She was given everything she asked for. She was lavishly loved and cared for. God was redeeming her experience from before. God reminded us so tangibly and tenderly that he was with our daughter both times. Because she is his daughter. He has loved her every moment. Her past, present, and future are all safe in his hands.  

Learn more about True Vine, Pathway's Adoption and Foster Care Ministry, HERE.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Why I Hated Budgets—Until One Sentence Changed My Life

When the USA competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, my wife and I were simultaneously in a private group working through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University for the very first time. I will gladly admit that for the first two weeks, I was skeptical of the content. However, I will never forget the singular moment that rocked my soul and forever transformed how my heart was wired toward money.

As a child, I grew up with parents who had physical envelopes, with cash inside (sometimes) for things like groceries, vacation, gas for their cars, and for fun things like eating out. I would ask my Dad weekly, after church, could we go to Dairy Queen for a Dilly bar? His answer never changed, “There’s no money in the envelope.”

When I became an adult, got married, had two kids, I refused to have a budget or envelopes because I had learned: there’s never money in there!

A couple of sessions into the Financial Peace University class, Dave Ramsey looked into the camera (and into my past) and said, “You’re the adult, you get to control what label goes on the outside of the envelope and how much money goes inside.”

This was it! This was what I needed to hear! As a kid, I hated budgets and envelopes, not because they were restrictive but because I had no control over them.

As an adult, I had all the control. From that moment on, our family has had a budget, a plan, and we plan to live on less than we make, so we can give away more than we did the previous year.

Are you ready to make 2026 a year where you take back control, live on less than you make, and give away more than you did last year? We want to help you do this with our next Financial Peace University class starting on February 12. Register here and find out about 100% graduation refund! 

Brian Beall is one of the pastors at Pathway. He and his wife, Sheri, are leading their children to wisely manage their income, so that they can thrive as adults.

Learn more about Pathway's Thrive Financial Ministry.

One of the things I could not have fully anticipated for my adopted children was and is the full impact and the disruption celebrations can have on them. Special occasions can be so very overwhelming.  

This can also be a surprise to many adults. As adults, we often look forward to these celebrations with the children in our lives. We work hard to make them bigger, better, more meaningful—to pack in as many memories and as much quality time as we can. We imagine our kids' joy and delight. We imagine how they will remember these special times when they become adults. We put a lot of time, energy, and emphasis on celebrations. Under the weight of all our effort, the only available option our children have is to be grateful. They better appreciate all they’ve been given, all the work that’s gone into this day!

Well, what if they simply can’t? What if these magical times aren’t enjoyable to a child? What if they aren’t what a child has been thinking of or dreaming of at all? What if the day is just another change? Another reminder of things being different? What does that look like? What does that feel like?

It can look and feel like confusion and disappointment. Big feelings. Big behaviors. And it is so easy to assign poor motives to a child who is struggling and needs support. It is easy to look at that sweet baby and view him or her as ungrateful. It is so easy to think of things from our adult perspective.  

The struggle with transitions and celebrations does not always look the same from one child to the next. One of my kids came into our family the week before Halloween. This kiddo did not melt down in the middle of whatever celebration was occurring; this sweet baby would struggle over the next few days. So, it looked like being a trooper as we were trick-or-treating. Maybe a little hyper-active, too. Then, bedtime that evening would be an absolute nightmare. When it was time to move into the bedtime routine, defiance and tantrums would reign. Each step of the bedtime routine would be met with resistance, which made bedtime take longer. And longer. And longer. The following two to three days would follow the same pattern. They would be intense and hard. I would be met with tantrums and defiance.

As this kiddo struggled, so did my patience and overall attitude. So did my internal thoughts. My mind would go to places of judgment. I would think things like, “Don’t you know how hard I worked to give you a fun day?” “Why can’t you be like the other kids?” “Why are you sitting in the doorway or under the table instead of participating?” “What kid doesn’t want to open presents?” “Why can’t you just try one bite of this new food?” “Why?”

Eventually, this kiddo reached an age where she was able to verbally express her discomfort with holidays, birthdays, Sunday dinners, etc. Not all occasions are met with excitement and anticipation. They are full of too many people, too much attention, too many smells, too many foods, too much noise, too much sharing. Just too much. In place of post-celebration tantrums and disruptions, my sweet child began looking for ways to avoid these situations. She might struggle to sit at the table during Sunday dinner. She would hide under the table or go into the next room. Maybe she would sit at the top of the stairs or run to the basement when it was time to open presents. I would find her crying alone often during celebrations, her feelings hurt in some way.  

There were family Christmas parties where we were the hosts, and I would be upstairs with our daughter while everyone else opened presents. I was torn between those who were having fun and wanting me to participate, and my child who was overwhelmed and needed to see that she was not alone. Sometimes it was hard not to feel frustration, disappointment, and anger.  

Oh, how hard it was to learn to set down my expectations and meet her where she was that day. To set down and ignore the pressure of family expectations and questions. To set down the internal struggle in the moment and see my child. To not allow the disappointment to take over. Take deep breaths. Remember these things might seem normal and fun to me, but they obviously did not feel that way for this child. Even now, in moments like these, this sweet baby needs me to see her. To help her. Not to control her. Not to try to push my will onto her. She needs me to love, comfort and offer support. She needs me to be patient. To listen. To sit quietly with her. She doesn’t want to miss out—no one does. When I can offer her what she needs, she can feel safe enough to eventually join in. Oh, what a hard lesson that was for me to learn. Oh, how I must remind myself of this every year, every celebration.

AND, what a privilege and burden it is to carry the weight of these moments. I try to never take for granted all that has gone into building this trust. This relationship. This safety. The pressure of that can feel like a giant weight. As parents, we all do the best we can with the tools and support systems we have.

Learning to reassess my expectations of my children continues to be a journey. It does not mean I stopped being a parent and let my kids run the show. It does mean I recognize that sometimes my expectations are unrealistic and too high. Sometimes my expectations come from a fear or perception of being judged. I can let all of that go. And when I do, it gives all of us space to enjoy our time together. Sometimes even more than I could ever imagine.

Learn more about True Vine, Pathway's Adoption and Foster Care Ministry, HERE.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Planning Ahead, Serving What You Value

“A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn’t and even brags about it!” (Proverbs 13:16 TLB)

Do you have a budget? If you don’t, I get it. There have been seasons of my life where doing a budget was last on my list of things I wanted to do (right after getting a root canal).

The wisdom of Proverbs points out the benefit of planning ahead. Without a plan, how can we steward where we spend, save, or give our income?  We can pretend we are giving and spending wisely, but there is no way to confirm or deny our decisions reflect any more than our feelings in the moment.  

Author Phillip Holmes says, “Making a plan for your money may help give you dominion over it. Being planless is not being free; being planless makes you a slave to money. But a good financial plan turns money into your slave to serve what you really value. You will be empowered to save, give, and spend money proactively rather than reactively.”

Holmes, P. (2017, December 7). "A Letter to Younger Me About Money", Desiring God.

Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.

Learn more about Thrive Financial Ministry HERE.

Our adoption story is one of tears, frustration, and patience. It also is an amazing testament and reminder that our plans do not always align with God’s plans, but his plans are always good.

While we were dating, the topic of children naturally came up in conversations with my wife. She always had a desire to adopt but thought we would have biological children first and then adopt. I love kids, so even though I had never considered adoption previously, I was immediately on board. After we were married, we started trying to get pregnant right away. We didn’t have a problem “getting” pregnant.  We had a problem “staying” pregnant. Throughout the first seven years of our marriage, we had no fewer than three documented first-term miscarriages, and each time it wrecked us. Eventually, my wife started looking on adoptuskids.org for children in Indiana, and she almost immediately fell in love with one of girls she saw on the site in late 2015. After a brief conversation, we decided to go through the process of becoming foster parents, though we didn’t have the complete support of my mother-in-law. More on that later.

If you’ve ever been through the foster parent licensing process in Indiana, or if you’re going through it now, you know it is arduous. They say it usually takes four to six MONTHS to get through all of the licensing requirements, mostly because of the required courses and the timing needed for them. As it turns out, things aligned perfectly in January and February of 2016, because we finished all of the required courses, did all of the required training, filled out all of the required forms, and had almost all of the required inspections done in about six WEEKS. The only thing we were still waiting on was the final home visit. Unfortunately, we languished for seven more months before DCS came out to do our final home visit, even though we were in weekly contact with the office to schedule the home visit. During this time, the girl my wife fell in love with online disappeared from the website. (I can only hope and pray she was adopted by a loving and supportive family.) We felt, once again, defeated and beaten down.

Finally, in late August, the final home visit was finished and our license was approved. All that was missing was a placement, which we thought would be the easiest part. We were wrong. We got our first placement call for a newborn baby at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie about a week after our license was finally approved. I don’t remember any details about the mother, but we were told none of her family members were willing to take the child into their homes. So early one Saturday morning in early-to-mid September, we bought a car seat and went to Muncie to wait for the DCS agent who would be introducing us to our new baby. That introduction never came. Around noon, after we had been at the hospital for about three hours, my wife got a call. Someone in mother’s family changed their mind and was going to take the child in. We were numb. We were told we’d be put back at the top of the list, but it was almost six weeks later before we finally got another call for a placement.

In mid-October, my wife got another message, asking us if we’d be willing to take in either two little girls or two little boys who were part of a sibling set. They told us this would almost certainly be a permanent placement because they were filing involuntary termination papers on the mother, so we would have the option to adopt them after the process was finished. We decided we would welcome the girls, so on Friday, October 28, 2016, two beautiful angels were brought to our house. After their caseworker left, we took them out to Pizza Hut, and since our church was doing its Trunk-or-Treat the next night, we went out and bought them Halloween costumes as well. They went as Disney Princesses: Elsa for the oldest and Belle for the youngest.

Now, remember earlier when I mentioned my mother-in-law wasn’t overly supportive? Over the few days between the initial call and when we finally met our daughters, my mother-in-law mentioned to my wife that she thought it was weird bringing someone else’s children into our home, especially because they may get sent back to their birth families. She was scared of falling in love with the girls, and she tried to project those fears onto us, though she was well-intentioned. However, she was as helpless as we were, because from the moment she first met the girls, they wrapped themselves around her heart, never to let go.
Now, it would be great if this was the end of our trials and tribulations. Unfortunately, if you think that, you haven’t picked up on the theme of this story. Recall when I mentioned they were starting the involuntary termination process for the girls before they moved in with us. In Indiana, that process is supposed to be completed and finalized within 180 days, or six months. Fast-forward to August 2017, when we got notice that visitation had FINALLY been completely suspended (that’s ten months later, by the way), so the process should have been nearing completion, right? Right?

On January 5, 2018, we got an email from the girls’ caseworker informing us that termination had FINALLY been granted for all four of the children, which meant the mother had 30 days to appeal and then the courts should have 90 days to make a ruling on that appeal. That meant by June, we should have been able to start getting on the court docket to finalize our adoption. We were in the clear! Except for some reason, which can only be attributed to God’s timing, we weren’t. In May of 2018, the caseworker who had been with us from the beginning told us she was stepping away from DCS, and we were introduced to her replacement. While he was good at his job, he had to catch up on everything, which did cause a delay. Then, in June of 2018, the two boys mentioned earlier were finally placed in their forever home, which is heartbreaking that it took so much longer for them. Finally, in August of 2018, the appeal was denied, and we were definitely in the clear to start the adoption process. Unfortunately, as with the rest of this story, that wasn’t an easy process either.  

In September 2018, our lawyer finally received communication from DCS about the adoption process starting, so she gave us the forms we needed to fill out to start negotiations. In October 2018, she was still waiting for paperwork and case reports from DCS. Finally, in December 2018, we discovered the process was being held up because our youngest daughter’s biological father was evidently not the same as our oldest daughter’s biological father. However, in the first instance of smooth sailing throughout this process, our youngest daughter’s alleged biological father immediately signed the adoption consent, and it went through without a hitch. Unfortunately, though, that took until February 2019 to be resolved. In April 2019, we finally were able to start negotiations for adoption. The only positive to come out of all of the delays was that the boys’ forever family was able to catch up to us in the timeline, allowing all four children to be adopted on the same day and time in May 2019. That can only be God’s hand throughout the process.

Oh, and for one more fun example of God’s hand throughout this process (if not his sense of humor) rewind to June 2017, when we discovered we were pregnant and due in February. The funny part is that we were taking preventive measures to forestall this exact thing from happening. (When people tell you antibiotics and birth control do not mix, believe them.) Anyway, we now have three absolutely amazing and beautiful children, and it’s exactly the way God had intended it. The only real difference in our story from anyone else’s is that we went from zero to three in 16 months.

Learn more about True Vine, Pathway's Adoption and Foster Care Ministry, HERE.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Godliness with Contentment

In a letter to his close companion and spiritual son, Paul warned Timothy about people “who think that godliness is a means to financial gain” (1 Timothy 6:5b).

We don’t know exactly what Paul had in mind when he wrote these words, but today we can easily see examples of those within the Church who have overlooked this warning.

When a pastor steals from his or her congregation.

When a church leader swindles fellow believers in a business deal.

When a church worker pockets money meant to be given away.

The world is full of missteps by Jesus-followers who have sought personal profit at the expense of others. And to live against this warning, Paul gives Timothy a piece of wisdom that can transform our lives today:

"But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

When we pursue Jesus and we are content with everything in our lives, we are truly ready for whatever Jesus wants to call us to next.

However, when we focus on what we don’t have, we will waste what we do have.

Billions and billions of dollars are spent every year to convince you and me that we do not have enough and we do not have the right things. We are told, “If you buy the right phone, the right car, the right boat, the right vacation home, the right college for your child, the right _______ then you will be satisfied.”

But when will we ever be fully satisfied?

Paul is right: Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).

Brian Beall is one of the pastors at Pathway. He and his wife, Sheri, are leading their children to wisely manage their income, so that they can thrive as adults.

Learn more about Pathway's Thrive Financial Ministry.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Wisdom: Neither Poverty Nor Riches

The wisdom of Proverbs 30:8 says, “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread” (NIV).

If this is wisdom, how many of us are praying this prayer? The writer of this passage, Agur, pleads for balance. He doesn’t want to be poor—which could lead to desperation—nor rich, which could lead to pride and forgetting God.

I met an obedient and faithful follower of Christ who shared with me that he and his wife felt called to live on a set income every year—not too poor and not too rich. If God provided additional provision, they were led by the Holy Spirit to give it away!

In a similar way, God has led my husband and me to give a percentage of our income (100% of it comes from him) back to ministries that are meeting physical and spiritual needs to further his kingdom. God’s faithfulness has been so abundant every year, he challenges us to increase the percentage.

Our material needs—and let’s be honest, our material wants—in this world pale in comparison to the treasure of knowing Christ (see Matthew 13:44). How is God calling you to use his resources to further his kingdom?

Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.

Learn more about Thrive Financial Ministry HERE.

My family's journey into the world of adoption felt long and tedious (much like the stories you hear from grandparents about walking to school in the snow, uphill both ways). The decision to adopt was made very quickly on my part. God instantly planted a seed in my heart the day I saw a family in my church with two children they adopted internationally. I knew my family plan would now include a mix of children who were adopted and biological.  When I met my husband and I informed him of my plan, he agreed.  We were young and in no rush to begin building a family.  

Fast forward to the beginning of our marriage and the start of our family. I still planned to build our family both through adoption and giving birth. After I became pregnant with our third child, my husband decided he was not on board with adding any more children to our family. For the next five years or so, we argued over adoption. I knew down to my core we were called to adopt. My husband did not agree. His fear was the loudest voice he could hear.  

Eventually, at the perfect time, God moved in my husband’s heart and he agreed we could explore adoption. Funny enough, the moment my husband relented, I was struck with fear—so much so I still can go back to that moment and clearly see my hand physically shaking as I texted a friend (an adoptive mom) to ask for guidance.  

My friend began to send me screenshots of kids' profiles who were waiting for their forever families. I will never forget the moment I saw the picture of my daughter for the first time. It is so hard to explain how, but I knew she was my daughter. Something in my heart leapt or shifted. I just knew. From that moment on, I moved as fast as I could to get to her. I analyzed every picture and video of her. I imagined holding her. I daydreamed about what she would be like. I “nested” just like I did when I was pregnant.  

I also began to imagine how she would feel. Would she like us? Would she be afraid of us?  

Finally, it was time to meet her. I was not prepared for how little she was. How fragile. Her size, weight, and development did not line up with her physical age.  

She was brought to meet us not by those who cared for her daily, but by strangers. Her big, beautiful, tear-stained eyes looked at us with fear. She was not at all ready to be given to us—more strangers.    

We came bearing gifts, but she was not impressed. Eventually she took a sucker I offered and she went to my older daughter. My husband took videos and pictures, and I listened intently to learn everything I could about our new daughter. She had a file, and information was read to us. But the file would stay with the orphanage; we could not take it with us.
 
I am pretty sure our daughter was in shock for the first 24-28 hours. She did not do very much at all. We worked hard to care for her and show her we were safe and there to offer her love. When she began to take food from us, she ate and ate. She took all the food we gave her. She also began to smile and enjoy all of the attention we showered on her.  

Even though she had recently begun walking in the orphanage, she would not walk. She wanted to be held and carried everywhere. She wanted to sleep on top of me. Beside me simply was not good enough—she became a velcro kid. She was with us for an entire week before she began to walk around and explore. Those early days were hard. Reverting to having a child in diapers once we'd passed that phase was hard. Waking every hour with a young child when we'd been used to children who sleep all night was even harder. Distinguishing what behaviors were (are) attachment issues, trauma, or just typical kid behaviors was (is) the hardest. And having different professionals give conflicting advice made our heads spin. It was confusing and overwhelming; we felt like new parents.      

As much as I worked to learn and prepare myself and my family, nothing could have adequately prepared us for this journey. We are much further down the road now. As I look back, there are so many emotions. Parenting any child is not for the faint of heart. My husband and I each worried we would not have what it takes to parent a child who is not biologically ours. Now we’ve experienced the journey and we love our daughter just as much as we love all of our other children. We still worry sometimes that we do not have what it takes. But we have also learned the best parts of life are on the other side of fear.

We worry we don’t have what it takes for many things, not just parenting. And God has shown us that when we say yes and take that first step, we don’t need to be prepared for the whole journey. There is no way we ever could be. We just need to take one step at a time, make sure we are always holding our Father’s hand, and following his lead.  

Learn more about True Vine, Pathway's Adoption and Foster Care Ministry, HERE.

Welcome to the True Vine Blog!

This is our little space to share stories from the world of adoption, foster care, and family preservation. The intention of these stories is to welcome you into these spaces if you are not already there. Or if you are in one of these spaces, we hope this blog will give you the feeling of connection. There are others out there, doing the best they can with what they have—sometimes, with their last ounce of strength and other times with gusto.

No matter how successful or unsuccessful you feel, we want you to know you are not alone. You are seen. The kids you care for are seen. You—the adult who was once a child being cared for by adoptive, foster, or another type of caregiver—are seen. You—the kinship caregiver who does not even realize you are a kinship caregiver—are seen. You are not only seen, you are loved. You are loved by the God who created this world with you in mind, and you are loved by us. We have a little community here at Pathway and we want to welcome you into it!

To protect their privacy, we sometimes change the names of those sharing their stories.  But the stories we share will be real stories of real people living and serving in this space. Thank you for joining us in this space. Our hope is that it will encourage you!

Lovingly,
The True Vine Team

THRIVE THOUGHT
The Question That Changed My Heart Toward Giving

When I was a young pastor in South Bend, there was an older couple who took me under their wings. They spent time guiding me and helping me learn the ropes of ministry. One evening after dinner, Flo shared a financial lesson that still drives me today.

As she and Harry worked on their giving plan, they never asked the Lord, “How much should we give back to you?” That shocked me, because from an early age, that was the only question I had ever heard about giving. Instead, Flo said she would pray, “Lord, how much should we keep from what you’ve given us?” Her words humbled me, and they completely changed my perspective.

So often we see finances and giving as a zero-sum game: if I give some of my money away, I have that much less for myself—so I must keep all that I can. But what I’ve learned from wise people like Harry and Flo is this: everything I have comes from the Lord, and when I give his money away, he blesses both the gift and the giver.

Harry and Flo showed me the truth of Proverbs 22:9 and the blessing of a giving heart. "The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).

Brian Beall is one of the pastors at Pathway. He and his wife, Sheri, are leading their children to wisely manage their income, so that they can thrive as adults.

Learn more about Pathway's Thrive Financial Ministry.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Money and the Early Church: Ananias and Sapphira

My daily Bible reading this month brought the topic of money to a dramatic forefront. Following an intensive outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the church in Acts was growing and boldly sharing the gospel.

Acts 5:1-11 tells the story of Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple who sold a piece of property, secretly kept part of the proceeds, and pretended to donate the full amount to the early Christian community. When confronted by the Apostle Peter, both Ananias and Sapphira lied about the amount they received, and both fell dead from their deceit.

What does this story about money and giving teach us?

1. Integrity matters to God. The issue wasn't that Ananias and Sapphira kept some of the money; it was that they lied about it. In Acts 5:4, Peter says “Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God” (NIV).

2. Money can be a test of the heart. Did the couple desire recognition or the appearance of generosity? What about their hearts led to their action in the story?

3. God deserves our fear and reverence. Acts 5:11 shows how the community responded: “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.” Related to money or not, our sin is not hidden from God. Where is God calling you to repent in fear and reverence of him?

Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.

Learn more about Thrive Financial Ministry HERE.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Spending from Scarcity: A Story of Financial Healing

I once heard a pastor tell the story of a young woman from an Iowa farming family. She achieved a law degree and was practicing law in Chicago. She lived alone in a nice apartment and made more than $175,000 per year. From all appearances, she had everything she needed to be successful and happy. Yet she came to her church and explained that she was in deep financial trouble and could not make ends meet for herself.

Rather than scoffing at her, this pastor listened to her and dug into her story. He found that as a teenager, her parents would keep all money she earned from her part-time jobs to use for their farm and home expenses. As an adult, she would immediately spend her entire paycheck every two weeks so that no one could take it from her.

This past trauma created a serious issue in her adult life. Her pastor wisely showed her that her emotional response to money was born from her teenage years, but now she was in control and had total management of her income. No one was going to take it, and she needed to surrender this issue to God and seek wisdom about her financial life.

She began to live out the words of Proverbs 21:20 (NLT), which says, "The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.”

What spending and saving habits from your teenage years have lingered to your adult years? What would biblical wisdom say about these habits?

Brian Beall is one of the pastors at Pathway. He and his wife, Sheri, are leading their children to wisely manage their income, so that they can thrive as adults.

Learn more about Pathway's Thrive Financial Ministry.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Spenders and Savers

Are you the spender or saver?

Hebrews 13:5 says “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (NIV).

In my household my husband is the spender and I am the saver. We often joke about it, and occasionally face conflict around it. Can you relate? Savers, budgeters, spenders, and givers should all consider their posture towards money.

“We have a lot to say to hoarders and spenders, but let’s remember money can seduce even the savers. A cheap lifestyle might be free from lots of things, but spending less is no guarantee of freedom from the love of money. Only a superior love for Jesus can buy you that” (Segal, 2014).

I pray and hope this week that neither spending nor saving captures our hearts. Rather, may we be captivated by the love of Jeus Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives as it relates to our finances.

Segal, M. (2014, July 10). A booby trap in the Christian budget. Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-booby-trap-in-the-christian-budget

Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.

THRIVE THOUGHT
Careers, College, and the Affordability of it All

Remember in elementary school, when you were asked what you wanted to be when you became an adult? How likely is it you studied that subject in college and you’re in that career now? For most of us, chances are slim we predicted our future careers and pulled it off.

Let’s move into adulthood. How many of us studied and graduated from post-high school training or education and are still in that career field today? Most likely many more of us are in this group! But how many of us paid for training, education, and/or college and were not able to fully leverage that time into a career because of debt or other issues preventing us?

Only because I’ve already asked four questions, let me ask one more… how many of us are concerned that college debt could rob our children of a meaningful career and negatively affect their adult life?

This Sunday, we’re hosting a seminar called Preparing Your Kid and Wallet for College, and we’re helping parents and their high school students begin the important conversation of college, careers, and the affordability of all of it! Join us after the 11AM service in The Gathering (main level, at the back of the café lobby) for lunch and conversation together. Oh, and it’s FREE so go here to register!

Brian Beall is one of the pastors at Pathway. He and his wife, Sheri, have four kids. Their oldest just completed his first year of college, and another son is close behind. They have lived this conversation and will continue to live it over the next seven years!

THRIVE THOUGHT
Careers, College, and the Affordability of It All

Remember in elementary school, when you were asked what you wanted to be when you became an adult? How likely is it you studied that subject in college and you’re in that career now? For most of us, chances are slim we predicted our future careers and pulled it off.

Let’s move into adulthood. How many of us studied and graduated from post-high school training or education and are still in that career field today? Most likely many more of us are in this group! But how many of us paid for training, education, and/or college and were not able to fully leverage that time into a career because of debt or other issues preventing us?

Only because I’ve already asked four questions, let me ask one more… how many of us are concerned that college debt could rob our children of a meaningful career and negatively affect their adult life?

This Sunday, we’re hosting a seminar called Preparing Your Kid and Wallet for College, and we’re helping parents and their high school students begin the important conversation of college, careers, and the affordability of all of it! Join us after the 11AM service in The Gathering (main level, at the back of the café lobby) for lunch and conversation together. Oh, and it’s FREE so go here to register!

Brian Beall is one of the pastors at Pathway. He and his wife, Sheri, have four kids. Their oldest just completed his first year of college, and another son is close behind. They have lived this conversation and will continue to live it over the next seven years!

THRIVE THOUGHT
Godliness and Contentment

I was challenged during my recent reading to think more deeply about what it means to be content, particularly when my situation—financial or not—may not be ideal in this fallen world. I pray that you might ponder these questions alongside me this week: Do I know God is good? That he is bigger than my problems? Do I trust and cling to Him? Am I seeking freedom in godly contentment?

“Godliness is an attitude whereby what we want is to please God. Contentment, explains J. I. Packer, ‘is essentially a matter of accepting from God’s hand what He sends because we know that He is good and therefore it is good.’ Contentment is the freedom that comes when prosperity or poverty do not matter; to accept what we have and ‘to want but little,’ as Thoreau advised. The more we choose contentment, the more God sets us free. The more He sets us free, the more we choose contentment.”

“In our propensity to get things wrong, we have attributed to contentment attitudes and feelings that have nothing to do with it. Contentment isn’t denying one’s feelings about unhappiness, but instead a freedom from being controlled by those feelings. It isn’t pretending things are right when they are not, but instead the peace that comes from knowing that God is bigger than any problem and that He works them all out for our good. Contentment isn’t the complacency that defeats any attempt to make things better, but instead the willingness to work tirelessly for improvement, clinging to God rather than results.”

Swenson, R. A. (1992). Margin: Restoring emotional, physical, financial, and time reserves to overloaded lives. NavPress.

Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.

THRIVE THOUGHT
God's Kingdom—the Wisdom of Giving to Others

Luke 6:30 says “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back” (NIV).

Jesus’ kingdom principle reflects the wisdom of Solomon in Proverbs 3:27-28:

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you’ — when you already have it with you” (NIV).

Jesus calls his followers to look for opportunities to serve, give, and share with their neighbor. In each case, Jesus focuses upon the heart attitude in seeking true benefit for others and our communities. Have you paused this week to notice the opportunities and needs around you? Or has the focus been primarily on your next activity, need, or desire? How is God calling you to reflect his upside-down kingdom in loving others by putting them first?

Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.

THRIVE THOUGHT
The Best Worst Year

Financial Peace University changed our family tree forever! I love sharing the story of how my wife got a free copy of Financial Peace University (FPU), and we invited two other couples to join us at our house once a week. This was Summer 2008, which was when the Olympic Games were in Beijing. Everything would drastically change in 12 months — the housing bubble was bursting, the economy went into recession, my employer gave me a massive pay cut, and God called us to begin saving for our first adoption. By 2014, we had increased our yearly giving each year, we had saved every dollar we needed to adopt, and we traveled to China to bring our youngest daughter home with no debt!

How about you? Are you ready for 2025? Are you ready to financially face whatever this year brings? What if I offered you a chance to attend FPU for free? Starting February 20, we’re starting our next FPU class; if you attend all five weeks, we will refund everything you paid (including KidCare cost).

What if 2025 is financially the best worst year you ever have?

Join us at Financial Peace University and let’s make sure you’re ready!!

Brian and Sheri Beall have been at Pathway for 12 years. They have four kids (college freshman, 11th grade, 8th grade, & 6th grade), and they love to share how God has lead them into financial freedom and peace!

THRIVE THOUGHT
Called as a Disciple: A Life Devoted to God

Wealth and riches can hinder a person from entering into everlasting life, but that’s not the main point of the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19.

“And someone came to Him and said, ‘Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?’ . . . And Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me.’” Matthew 19:16, 21 (NASB 1995).

Christians recognize that eternal life cannot be earned through actions. Salvation is a gift of grace, and nothing we do can earn it.

In the Scripture, Jesus calls the rich young ruler to be his disciple. While wealth and riches can be obstacles to entering eternal life, the main issues are the young man’s self-reliance and lack of devotion to God. His possessions were the barrier to loving God. Jesus told the young man to give them up and make a genuine commitment to follow Him.

A disciple is a follower of Christ, declaring that their life’s path is determined by their master. At no point does a disciple choose their own way; their allegiance, commitment, and devotion are to Jesus.

Are you a disciple of Jesus? As you examine your life, where do you spend your time, mental, physical, and emotional energy, and resources? To whom is your life devoted?


Source: Christian Stewardship Network. (2020, September 17. "What was Jesus really asking the Rich Young Ruler?", CSN

Erica Smith lives with her husband, J.R., and children Jeremiah and Eva in Fort Wayne, IN. She has spent her career in the financial services industry and is actively involved with Pathway Community Church’s Thrive Ministry.