Class or a Counseling Session?

I am really struggling with our kinship foster training classes. After the first class, my attitude wasn't great, but I had high hopes that future classes would be interesting and full of important information. While the information is important, it is also a repeat of what we learned in our infant adoption class. After our second class, this past week, my hopes are pretty much gone.

When you gather any group of 30 people together, you are bound to get a variety of experiences, issues, questions and problems. When those people are all dealing with a very confusing system, irresponsible family members, and a child (or children) they were not prepared to care for, the craziness grows exponentially.

This past Friday, our class spiraled out of control as several people took the opportunity to share (or complain) about what they were dealing with. At first, it appeared that they were just asking questions about the process, but after a few minutes, it became clear that they were looking for a place to vent. Those few minutes turned into a 20 minute discussion. I can sympathize with the confusion surrounding foster care. The problem is that each of our situations is unique, so it is hard to remain engaged in the class when the conversation is irrelevant to me. While we have had a relatively easy process, many of the people in our class are jaded by "the system" and that is apparent as soon as they speak.

Matt and I have been blessed with an incredible support system. I have to remember that not everyone has that. While I may find all of this frustrating, I want to be supportive of the men and women in my class. I have started praying for each of them:
-That they would experience peace in their decision to foster a family member's child.
-That they find answers to their many questions.
-That they locate resources necessary to help them through the process.

I also have a few prayers for myself:
-That I would remain positive about the class; looking for new information in each session.
-That I have patience with those taking the class.
-That I offer support to the people that may not have any outside of the class.

I am in a bible study right now, and as I did my homework today, I was directed to Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." I look forward to seeing the good that God brings through this experience!