A Safe Place to Grow: Why the Gurley Family Chose to Foster

A Safe Place to Grow:
Why the Gurley Family
Chose to Foster

Even before they began dating, both Scott and Deb Gurley had orphan care on their hearts. Since getting married and starting their own family, God has been working through them to love and care for babies and toddlers in need of a stable home. Here is what the couple says about their nearly 6 years as foster parents:

Q. What is your desire for these kids, and their families?

Deb: We want to provide all the bonding and trust and unconditional love that little ones need and deserve in those first few years. For the biological families, we're hoping they see a glimpse of God's love through how we love them and their child.

Scott: Our immediate goal is to provide a safe environment for them where they are loved and cared for. Another goal is to get the children to a permanent home. Ideally, we'd like to see kids with blood relatives, and fortunately that's what we've experienced thus far in our fostering journey.

Q. What have been some of the hardest things about fostering?

Scott: Watching a baby go through drug withdrawal is hard to watch, let alone care for. I think the other hardest thing is that fostering is a 24/7 job. It's not a job you go to for the day and come home to take a break. You are a foster parent all day, every day.

Q. What have been the greatest joys?

Deb: Seeing our foster daughters flourish and grow, both in our home and afterward, is a source of great joy. You can't beat baby giggles! We still have a close relationship with our first foster daughter, so we regularly get to see the sweet, happy girl she has become. Her biological father is not in the picture, but she looks to Scott as an example of what a father should be like.

Scott: Watching the children grow and even thrive. Being able to see them come from horrible situations and get a chance to learn, heal and develop.

Q. How has fostering drawn you closer to God? Each other? As a family?

Scott: I think tough challenges like this force you either toward Him or away, and thankfully we've relied upon Him over the years. We depend on His strength. Our children grow to love the foster kids that come into our home and, by serving these kids together, I do think there is an aspect where we've grown closer together as a result. My wife and I have to be a team if fostering is going to work. She needs to depend on me, and I have to depend on her. That's kept us close as we've navigated the rough waters of fostering.

Let’s take a moment to thank God and pray for families like the Gurleys, who sacrificially share the love of Christ with children and families in need.