It’s been a year now since we were promised our license as a group home. After completing all the requirements, there has still been a delay. I’ve been going back and forth for the entire past year with Our Kids and DCF. The biggest issue is not that there isn’t a large demand for good programs that service homeless, at-risk youth. The biggest issue is the politics behind the funding. I feel that God has prepared me for this moment long before it ever happened. A few months ago, a stranger that I met at a networking event told me what my name (Fritzie) meant “peaceful ruler.” After looking it up, I was in awe at the beautiful meaning behind my own name that I had never realized before. When I asked my mom why she went with the name “Fritzie”, she said, “Well, your dad’s name was Fritz, so I added the ‘ie’ at the end.” It struck me that, although the person who gave me my name was not aware of it, God had given me a name that would encourage, strengthen and define me for such a time as this, even before I was born. It brought me to the realization that after all that has happened up to this point, I am right where I need to be in order to fulfill even bigger goals than I had ever dreamed of accomplishing.
My goal started off with just wanting to start a group home. Now I’ve seen the expansion of that. I’m an advocator for children in the foster care system and instead of just meeting one need I must help to address all needs. I strongly believe that this year we will get the boys. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” Faithful people keep on keeping on when other people have given up. Faithful people are diligent and determined. Walking in faith shows persistence and courage. We must strive to see from the right perspective when we are going through problems. Don’t look at the temporary problem; look at the long-term reward. For me, this journey is building my character into one with endurance and perseverance. I believe that God is more interested in what you are becoming than in what you accomplish. I was reminded by my life coach, Lillie Dulaney, that you have to keep knocking on doors until the right person answers and that the Bible talks about faith that is “strong enough to move mountains.” We will all come across “mountains” throughout our lifetime. Mountains may come in the form of cancer, financial issues, divorce, struggling with school/work, etc. Some of these obstacles may cause us to view the future in a negative light. The positive thing about it is that challenges are opportunities to conquer and become testimonies. We must stand our ground, fight the good fight with everything we have and not give up hope. I would like to encourage you not grow weary of reaching your goals. When the time is right, we will harvest a good crop – if we only make the choice not to give up!