Reframing Foster Care

by Jason Johnson

Foster parents face a unique set of circumstances and experience a wide array of emotions that few can relate to. Their journey is one of equal parts beauty and brokenness, joy and heartache, excitement and exhaustion. There is no textbook on how to be a foster parent, no formula, no simple three-step guide. But there is hope—in God’s capacity to bring great beauty out of tragic brokenness. This is the gospel—the lens through which you can filter your foster parenting journey and ultimately find the strength, motivation, and courage you need to be sustained along the way. ReFraming Foster Care is a collection of reflections on the foster parenting journey designed to help you do just that—find hope—and to remind you that your work is worth it and you are not alone. This multi-faceted book can be read alone or used as a group support resource. Every chapter Whether your foster parenting journey has just begun or you’ve been on the road for quite some time, we pray this book can encourage, challenge, and inspire you along the way. For bulk orders of 10 or more books, visit www.reframingfostercare.com. Discounts apply.

Genres: Fostering, Parenting, Nonfiction, Christian, Social Justice, Adoption, Christian Living

252 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Jason Johnson and his wife Emily became foster parents in 2012 and live in Texas with their four daughters. After years of pastoral ministry and church planting experience, Jason spends his time equipping churches and encouraging families on their foster care and adoption journeys. He is the author of ALL IN Orphan Care and blogs regularly at www.jasonjohnsonblog.com.

Reviews

[Emily Seydell · Rating 4 out of 5]

my version of a hard launch is updating my goodreads

[Emily Attaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never stop being a Jason Johnson fan. This book is very accessible and feels very similar to his Instagram and blog posts. A great introduction to foster care if you're curious about how to get involved or how to understand foster families.

[Faith Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regardless of whether you have ever thought about fostering, I think this is an important book that every believer should read. This was an excellent book.

[Clare Bogle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

[Morgan Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible perspective and information, maybe the bedt book on foster care Ive read yet.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I perused a large plethora of foster books the past several weeks. Finding out some extra bad news about the kids in my care after a momentary triumph...it broke me. I needed help, guidance.
I didn't want to read textbooks about the smattering of different labels these girls probably had and the ones they didn't. Books about attaching just didn't feel useful either. I read every Dr. Sears book and then some that I could get my hands on in my 20s for my bio kids. Hopefully they would eventually attach to me (and/or every stranger in the grocery store that smiles at them, but I digress). Biographies of seasoned foster parents are a nice bandaid, but honestly terrifying at the same time. The issues....
What I really needed was to see fostering through Jesus' eyes. Fostering through His lens. Someone to encourage me, to be frank with me, without unloading all their personal struggles and tramautizing stories at the same time... this book did that.
Reminiscent of "Adopted for Life" but obviously geared specifically to foster parents.
I cried so many times, hearing him acknowledge things I was saying inside my own head, wondering if I was the only one feeling them. This is a book I need to keep coming back to over and over and over again. Because this is always going to be smattered with hard, because all things that are truly worth it are.

"I discovered that you can't simply invite brokenness into your home and not to some degree be broken by it. You can't hold abused innocence in your arms and not on some level lose a sense of your own innocence as a result. You can't hear stories of the deep fractures in others' lives and not see the cracks in your own and understand that on some level we're all the same - broken humans in need of redemption. You can't open your heart to the vulnerable and defenseless and not be transformed by them. You can never unsee what you now see, unknow what you now know, unhear what you now hear, or unfeel what you now feel. These things will always be a part of you, and a piece of you will always be fused with them. They've become inextricably intertwined with your evolving story - an intrinsic part of your new normal.
The world as you know it is a different place - a bigger, more nuanced, more distorted place - a place somewhere between what you used to know about your little world and what you now know about the rest of it. Everything changes."

"In light of the gospel, our call to care for vulnerable kids is all about the joyous privilege we have of losing ourselves for their sakes, because He first lost Himself for ours. We carry the burden of their plight because He first carried the unjust and undeserved weight of ours... to His death. He alone is the hero in all of this; we are but shadows.
We don't strut into these kids' stories with a cape on our back. Herein lies our hope: that in all our efforts for them we are ultimately freed from any self-imposed burden of trying to make it about us. There's room in the gospel for only one hero, and it isn't going to be me or you."

"Everyone has something to offer - whether it's BBQ, babysitting, a gift card, a temporary home to live in, or a new forever family. While we aren't all called to do the same thing, each of us is certainly capable of doing something.
Find. Your. Something."

[Milina Kazlouski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the gospel-centered message of this book. This laid a great foundation for a Christian perspective of fostering and adopting. Many biblical truths and encouragements. If you're considering adoption or foster care I encourage you to read this book!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing. Would recommend to anyone even remotely interested in caring for kids in foster care in any capacity or to anyone following Jesus. He offers so many “reframes” (very accurate title for the book) for what it means to be involved in foster care.

—What kids stand to gain by having a loving home is so much more than what I stand to lose by giving up my comforts to open my home.
—What my biological kids could lose by NOT opening our home to kids in need is greater than what they may lose by not exposing them to the realities of foster care.
—Foster care is less about gaining a child for my family and more about giving my family for a child.
—God uses my brokenness not my strength.
—“Success” in foster care is saying yes, not in some particular outcome.
—Jesus is the hero of every story, NOT a foster parent or anyone else.

All that being said, this is probably more like 4.5 ⭐️ because there were so many dang typos. 😩Was so disappointed by that because the content was like a 6/5. Not even structural issues, more things like “they>re” instead of “they’re” or “pefrect” instead of “perfect”.

My longest review ever because this book was so.dang.good.

[Ashley Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know not everyone is involved in the foster care system, but I believe each person has a role to play in helping vulnerable children. It won’t look the same for everyone, but we can each of us can find our “something.”

This book offers great hope by applying the gospel to tragic brokenness. It points us to Jesus and I would highly recommend it to people considering foster care, in the throes of it, or to friends who want to support those involved. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book! Spiritual solid, insightful, and encouraging. Jason Johnson's book (and his blog) were really helpful to me as Alan and I were 'stepping in' to foster care. I've read a few different books on foster care, and this one is by far my favorite! :)

[Lexi Zuo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content, but the author just sadly repackaged many of his blog posts. Really disappointed by that.

[Allie Guerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We aren’t all called to do the same thing, but each of us is capable of contributing something. And it’s essential for you to identify your something.”

A phenomenal read for everyone, not just foster families. Caring for orphans is a duty for every Christian, and we all need to asses how we’re caring for the most vulnerable in our world.

Be a foster family, prayer for foster kids, donate to organizations, take someone a meal, get involved.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. This boon was seriously amazing. I will reread it 50 times over!

[Nicole Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone involved in the foster care process. Current foster parents, those who are considering it, or anyone who is supporting foster families in any way. Jason tackles a lot of the obstacles that you will face on this journey, and answers them through the lens of the Gospel.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are already fostering, considering fostering, or want to better support friends or family members that are fostering, this book is a great resource. Each chapter is short and easy to read, while also packed with helpful insights and questions.

[Emily M · Rating 4 out of 5]

So here's the deal. Jason Johnson has really good insights into fostering, and he's definitely helped me frame how I think about our youngest daughter, her birth parents, her story, and what God is doing in her story. I have heard him twice (he preached at our church and spoke at a conference we attended), and I've read two of his books, and he pretty much has had the same message all four of those times. It's a good message--fostering and adoption enables us to live out and preach the gospel--but I'm not sure that I needed to read two books that basically reminded me of the same thing. I actually started this book right after reading All In Orphan Care with our foster support group at church a year or so ago, and I actually set it aside for months because I didn't necessarily need to reread his message just then. I am on a mission to finish up the half read books on my nightstand, so I powered through the last half of the book this afternoon, but I found that I had truly internalized much of what he'd taught me, particularly regarding my attitude toward the birth parents, and it didn't feel as life changing as the first time I encountered it.

So this is a good book! Every Christian considering foster care or adoption (or who has friends who are doing it) should hear or read some Jason Johnson. He's wise and grounded in scripture, and you will learn a lot. But I wouldn't necessarily run out and buy everything he's ever written, because it is a lot of the same material in a new setting.

[Bryan Eberl · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a single guy, I feel as though I’m in a stage where my friends are having kids, or unable to. I was always curious what the adoption, and foster care process was like. I read this book primarily to know how God’s heart fits in this Avenue of ministry, and wonder if/when he should call me to it.

The perspective this author has towards the gospel is both vulnerable, honest, and refreshingly biblical. Lots of quotes that reminded me of who God calls me to be.

A couple quotes:

“Let's be clear: your "enough" isn't determined by measuring yourself against someone else; it's defined by whether you're being obedient to what God has asked you to do. We can't all do the same thing nor would that be productive for the Church- but we can all find our something . .. and then go about doing it.”

“In the end, perhaps the call of the Church isn't just o foster abused, neglected, and vulnerable kids but also to help prevent others like them from becoming abused, neglected and vulnerable.”

“Most of the time, in fact. But I suppose that's the beauty of how marriage is designed to work: as a mutual sharing of the burden to help each other continue to take steps forward, in harmony, together. Sometimes I can lead well in the traditional sense of the term, and at other times I need her to take the first step so I can see more clearly where we both need to go together.”

“God didn't call you to this because He thought you could handle it, and He certainly isn't surprised by the fact that there are those times when you can't. He called you to this to show what He can do through you- not just handle it but accomplish beautiful things through it-through you.
He is using you, a mere human, to help resolve a seemingly insurmountable human problem.”

“Your brokenness isn't a sign of failure, but an
outcome of faithfulness. Jesus knows exactly how that feels.”

[Jennifer Trovato · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was encouraged by this book, so definitely worth a read if you’re a foster parent or considering. I particularly appreciated a chapter towards the end about how foster care is a podium to preach the Gospel. The book constantly reminds us how foster care mirrors the Gospel, but i loves his call to take this and make the most of it. I also appreciated his section on the sovereignty of God and how as much good as we can provide a child, God can and will provide them infinitely more wherever they end up.

It is a compilation of writings from the author so they sometimes feel a bit like blog posts and there is a good bit of redundancy. I can’t imagine doing this in a group study ( one option suggested) simply because the questions are so introspective, but that might be my group style.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short devotional-like chapters that show how adoption is first God's idea and gift to us - how sweet that is - and how we can be partakers in small ways of this here on earth. A noteworthy and humbling gem:

"In the end, our call in foster care is to fully love these kids while we have them and to accept the costs we may incur as worth it in light of the gain they stand to receive. We choose the pain of a potentially great loss if it means a child has received the gain of an infinitely great love. This is what Jesus has done for us." (174)

[Meighan Marlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for current and prospective foster parents or foster support.

“Perhaps the call of the Church isn’t just for fostering abused, neglected, and vulnerable kids but also to help prevent others like them from becoming abused, neglected, and vulnerable”

“While we’re not all called to do the same thing, we are all certainly capable of doing something.”

“Let’s spend less time talking about what it will cost us if we do foster or adopt and more time talking about what it will cost these kids if we don’t.”

[Emma Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of the practical information is helpful but I will echo other reviewers who find that it reads like a bunch of printed out, very distinct blog posts. I’m not sure there’s a lot of value in having this book rather than just taking in then information online. It also falls into the ditch of over-emphasizing obedience that happens in so much of popular Christian writing. (I don’t disagree that obedience to God is good but this book tends to lean on heavy-handed exhortation rather than the free obedience that comes from the Gospel of salvation by grace alone.)

[Josh S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels odd to rate a book on such an important topic only 3 stars. I did not feel like I learned much new about foster care, but was just exhorted by the author to take seriously the vast unmet need of safe homes for vulnerable children. He’s preaching to the choir here, and I was hoping for more personal sharing about his family’s experience through the process. This book, while packed full of poignant and potent truth, could have been a pamphlet without much loss

[Hunter Leavine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for those considering fostercare. It is also a helpful read for those who are fostering or are close to someone fostering. I appreciate the gospel centrality and the rawness of the book. Jason Johnson isn’t afraid to speak openly about the challenges and fears that surround foster care, and I am grateful for this book.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read with solid content. Likely best to read as a discussion starter (one of the listed method) as opposed to like a traditional book. That said, I think the true value of this book will be in the re-read of individual chapters as specific situations come up. Feeling like a failure? Take the couple minutes to re-read the chapter on redefining success for the encouragement to continue.

[Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging and Challenging Read

This book was both encouraging and challenging, in the best way. It opened my eyes to so many parts of the adoption and foster care process. It is something I will recommend to many friends and family - and a book that I know will be very useful in our future as we adopt and foster, Lord willing.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone connected to foster care. Johnson does a great job laying out the experiences of fostering, while also creating a new and healthier perspective on what foster care actually involves. This book helpfully walks the line between challenging and encouraging. I whole-heartedly recommend.

[Danielle Tolbird · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of foster care in the frame of the Bible. The first half of the book was a bit elementary for me, but would have been wonderful a couple years ago when I became a CASA. The second half of the book was a WORD, so thank you Jason for your conviction and advocacy. If you are a Christian and new to foster care or curious about foster care, this is a great book for you.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint is the format and flow of the book. I think another reviewer said each chapter was possibly taken from a blog post, which is how it felt. Very good, 10/10 content, just knocked down a point for the flow. If used as a study (there are questions at the end of each chapter) it may be better.

[Brianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. Jason Johnson brought tremendous perspective--both humbling and inspiring--to the world of foster care. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who serves as part of the foster care system. This book gave me ALL the feels.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read with great stories and questions to consider. I would highly recommend for current or prospective foster parents, anyone who is curious about how they can help families who are fostering and anyone who is interested in learning more about foster care through the lens of the Gospel.