Yesterday, I was in the car at a crowded intersection and an emergency vehicle had to go through in a very big hurry. I was glad that they were not coming for me. It made me think about the times that I have been in an emergency situation. I was involved in an accident on my motorcycle when I was in law school. I also needed emergency help more times than I like to admit when we received four badly traumatized little boys into our home.
We had a close friend living nearby who had shown us over the years that she had a heart to serve. My wife worked for thirteen years as the Children’s Pastor at a fairly large church. She had about 150 children in Sunday school on any given Sunday and 75-85 paid and volunteer children’s workers and teachers doing various jobs.
She always needed a Sunday school director to help with extra needs, recruiting, supporting the classrooms, and dealing with parents. It was a salaried job because it was sometimes difficult and always demanding. Anne Marie had the job for some time. She was diligent, dependable, and never needed personal attention. She insisted on doing the work as a volunteer.
Anne Marie was excited about our boys and at our house soon after each one arrived. We are putting together life books for all the boys and she is in many of the first week photographs. She repeatedly told us that she was usually available “at a moment’s notice”. Little did we know that we would exercise that option often.
Within three months, we had four little boys with multiple problems. One had rages and fits frequently. Another was in a rage, screaming and breaking things, if he was awake and not being held by someone standing up. A third was suffering from anxiety attacks and very hyperactive. The fourth was several months old and damaged from his birth circumstances. Two of them, who had bad vibes with each other from infancy, were fighting and biting when near each other.
I always have to search for a word that sufficiently describes what the situation was like when at its worst. Words like chaos, pandemonium, disarray, bedlam, and turmoil sort of scratch the surface. Pandemonium may be the best.
All we had to do was dial her number and say something like, “I don’t have time to explain, please come immediately.” If she was at home, she was at our house quickly. She never said she was busy or tired. She always instantly assessed the situation and filled the need that was going begging. I am not sure that we could have survived the first six months without her.
If you know anyone who has taken the plunge and received “special needs” children out of your state’s foster system, think about offering to help. If you offer, you will probably get a chance to serve. Anne Marie stored up a great deal of treasure in Heaven those six months. It was a Holy calling.
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