Who will love your children?

I constantly amazed by the number of children who are homeless.  My children have several friends each who do not live in their own homes, with their own family.  Some were kicked out of their homes for getting pregnant and others just can't seem to get along with their parents so they either left or were forced to leave.  Tonight my son asked us if his friend could live with us.  His friend currently lives with his father and stepmother.  Tomorrow he turns 18 which means he is apparently no longer welcome in his home.

It's heart breaking the disfunction these kids live with.  Our children make mistakes.  Some are worse than others, but kicking them out doesn't teach any life lessons.  It's not breaking the cycle of misfortune, it's adding to it.  And who is left to pick up the pieces for these children?  It's parents like us that must take on the task of raising someone else's child. 

I have taken leftovers to the homes of my children's friends so that they could have a hot meal for dinner.  I have given clothing, purchased extra at the grocery store and offered my couch on more than one occasion to kids in need.  I have soft spot for kids, even kids in crisis because I believe every child deserves a chance.
When we decided to have children it was a life-long commitment.  Our children will be part of our lives forever.  I would never consider telling them they are no longer welcome in this house.  It's their house too.  I'm heart broken thinking about how these children must feel. 

Starting tomorrow I will open my home up indefinetly to another child.  While he may be a legal adult in the eyes of the law, he is still a child that needs guidance, needs shelter and needs love.  My story of a multi-generational family is growing to include more than my own family.