**Editor’s Note:** For privacy reasons, names and certain details have been changed. These stories are shared by former houseparents who have served at various children’s homes to offer insight, encouragement, and prayer for those considering this role. To respect the privacy of the children in these stories, we use artistic depictions rather than real photos.
My Life From Here: A Child’s Perspective
written in a historic newsletter (1990s) of Potter Children’s Home.
When I look at my life from where I am today, I honestly don’t understand it. I know that may not make sense, but it will. This is my story—the confusing life of a young teenage girl.
To make sense of it all, I have to start at the beginning.
I was born into a family with three other children—ages six, seven, and eight. My birth made me a biracial child, which has not always been easy, even in today’s world. My parents were married, but they divorced for reasons unknown to me. My mother, now raising four children alone, struggled with depression and the overwhelming weight of being a single mother. In her search for help, she learned about Potter Children’s Home in Bowling Green, Kentucky. At just six months old, I moved there—and from that moment on, I forgot the man who was my father completely.
At age three, I started preschool. It was there that I discovered my love for learning, particularly reading. That love has stayed with me to this day. At four, I started playing soccer, a sport that filled my childhood with joy. As I moved through elementary school, I developed a talent for writing, and combined with my passion for reading and my natural speed, I excelled in my studies. By fifth grade, when letter grades were introduced, I never made anything less than an A.
Middle school came with its own set of challenges, but I entered it with confidence, excelling in school, church, friendships, and family life. Still, as much as I thrived in these areas, there was always a part of my life that didn’t feel complete. Many nights, I would lie awake wondering what my life would have been like if Potter hadn’t “rescued” me as an infant. I questioned why my father left, if it was somehow my fault, and if there was something inherently wrong with me. Even though I know now that those thoughts were irrational, I still held onto a childish hope that one day, my father would return.
As I grew older, I came to understand that my life has unfolded this way for a reason. I may not know what could have been, but I do know that my mother made the right choice in seeking help. I don’t need my father now—I have found the only Father I truly need in God. He blessed me with a second chance, with survival, and with a life filled with people who loved me as their own. I am eternally grateful to those adults who made room for me, not just in their homes, but in their hearts.
I now realize what I didn’t understand back then: family is more than blood. It is found in acceptance, in love, and in the unwavering support of those who choose to stand by you. As a Christian, I have also discovered the love of my spiritual brothers and sisters, a family that extends beyond any earthly ties.
Today, my life still has struggles. But now, I am equipped with what I need to face them head-on. I am a fighter and a survivor. To any girl who finds herself without a father, know this—seek God, and He will be all the Father you need. If you need to be “rescued” or find a place to belong, know that places like Potter exist, and they can change your life, just as they did mine.
To the wonderful ministry and people at Potter—thank you. You built a foundation for God’s plan in me, and I will continue to build upon it as I grow into the Christian adult I know I can become. My life from here is filled with love because of what you have given me.
A Prayer of Gratitude: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the way You provide family, love, and belonging even in the most unexpected ways. We lift up children who are searching for acceptance, for hope, and for a place to call home. May they find peace in knowing that You are the ultimate Father who never leaves or forsakes them. Bless those who step into the lives of these children with open hearts, guiding them toward a future filled with love and faith. We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.