In this inspiring short story, a single dad adopts 5 siblings for the best reason!
Robert Carter of Ohio knew the pain of a divided family. Growing up, he and his siblings went into foster care and didn’t see each other again for years.
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“My mom had nine kids,” Robert explained. “And I didn't see my youngest again. He was two. I didn't see him again until he was 16.”
Robert later ended up gaining custody of his younger sister and guardianship of his younger brother. And when he heard of 5 siblings facing a similar situation, it touched his heart.
God Reveals A Bigger Purpose
Nothing is wasted where God is concerned. And when we go through difficult times, God is always willing to use our pain for a greater purpose.
Robert Carter could have chosen a lot of different paths given the painful separation he experienced during childhood. Instead, he used that experience to fuel a passion for encouraging and mentoring other children.
He was fostering 3 boys when his past came full circle. The brothers — Robert Jr., Giovanni, and Kiontae — were always talking about how much they missed their sisters. The 5 siblings had been separated for 6 months.
“We met up for visits, and all the kids were crying,” Robert Carter said. “They didn't want to leave each other, and at that moment, I knew, ok, I have to adopt all five.”
It’s not every day that a single dad adopts 5 siblings. But God had placed Robert in the lives of these children for this specific purpose. His past equipped him to fill a role no one else could.
"I understand how they feel," he explained. Robert went on to say, "I understand what they went through, so it really touched me. I was already thinking about adopting all of the kids but when I saw them crying, I was like, ‘Ok, I'm going to take all five to keep them together.'"
Single Dad Adopts 5 Siblings
It was one thing for the single dad to want to adopt 5 siblings. But that didn’t necessarily mean it would be approved.
However, when God is behind something, it simply can’t fail! And thankfully, the system recognized these 5 siblings were meant to be with Robert Carter.
RELATED: Couple Tries For 1 More Baby And Learns They're Expecting Quadruplets After Adopting 4 Siblings
"I've never had a single father adopt five children,” adoption case manager Stacey Barton said. "I've had married couples who have adopted six or seven, so this was a unique experience for me. Children need families, and it's an opportunity for Mr. Carter to show the community that he can do it and others can too."
Now that the 5 sibilngs are back together in a loving forever home, Robert is working on helping them make new memories to replace the bad ones.
"Every night I talk to them and let them know, ‘I'm your dad forever. I know what it's like and I'm always here for you',” he says.
Blessings After Single Dad Adopts 5 Siblings
This consistent level of love and support is already starting to have an impact. One of the sisters, Marionna, didn’t trust Robert at first. But then, they had a breakthrough.
“She walked in my room last night and said, ‘I just want to say thanks for taking us in and taking care of us when our real mom couldn't.' It just really touched me,” Robert said.
Beautiful moments like these are the reward for the single dad who adopted the 5 siblings. And this inspiring short story reminds us that God can give purpose to anything and everythiing in our lives. Even those painful experiences we’d much sooner forget, can later help us minister to others when they go through similar struggles. So, give it ALL to God!
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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; Who gives us comfort in all our troubles, so that we may be able to give comfort to others who are in trouble, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10
WATCH: Single Dad Adopts 5 Siblings So They Can Stay Together
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h/t & Featured Image: WBTV