It is my first expression of art in this format, my canon of work is solely in the medium of acrylic painting, but in the mist of the Covid. 19 I had to be quarantined with my parents and there was no space to paint, so I transferred my painting expression to spoken word.

I met two young adult twins recently coming out of homelessness after foster care. They were the spark. I looked at the female, on how she sacrificed for her family and withstood so many trials. I thought, like Christ, she was "made to draw the foul". The analogy of a basketball game with a female being fouled in the paint of the court displayed the strength and beauty of women, in so often like life, as a young female, child you don't know how aggressively someone may reach in and attack (foul) you--as you seek to reach your goals. So like Ephesians informs us, we must have on our armor! Starting at the head--the helmet of salvation, We must pray for fostered children and there salvation. Then they can seek the full armor! Abuse of children is one of the most quietly excepted atrocities. Especially fostered children. Here, we see that it is a battle, a pure, innocent child, as a lamb, is subjected to abuse and evil often at the hands of adults. The armor of God mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-20, does more than a mother or father. It informs you of the enemy, how to stand against Satan who is at the root of the abuse. The value of a loving mother and father is put in the for front when you hear of the horrifying testimonies of fostered children. Often there stories sound the same: sexual, physical, and mental abuse is rampant in there biological homes, only to be intensified while in foster care, to add, a false, temporary sense of love with strings attached-- that abruptly ends at 18 or 21, or whenever the check stops. How do they mature in the mist of the abuse and falsehoods? I see the pain in their eyes, I here it in there voices--the distrust and anger. My spoken word, "Made to Draw the Foul" is about the revelation that our trials are a part of a spiritual battle, and answering the question that so many abused children, specifically women have, "Why me?"

Cast, basketball player, Jessica Woods

He knew that she was made to draw the foul
In the paint of the court
In life--it is the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4, KJV).
She was made to draw the foul.
The human prideful reflex is to reach in and stop the opponent’s embarrassing access to the goal.
The devil's reflex is to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10, KJV). He is embarrassed of our access to the Father!
So he forms the weapons.
She was not aware that she would draw the unwarranted contact.
The devil meant it for evil, but God knew it was for her good (Genesis 50:20 KJV)
An opportunity to prosper herself and others in the game called life.
Jesus said, ...except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit (John 12:24, KJV).
She was made to draw the foul.
For two points is the plan, but her sacrifice for the third is a small example of how He went to the Cross, shed his blood, to be wounded for our transgressions bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5 KJV)!
There, is the ultimate sacrifice for the ultimate gain! Our gift of the third person-The Holy Spirit!
He knew the he was born to give his body, but she had to grow to know, to become more like him.
She found out, that it all worked together for her good (Romans 8:28 NIV).
She found out, the game winning clincher-- in Peter’s first book, the reason why she was made to draw the foul:
To prove the genuineness of her faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (1Peter 1: 7 NIV)!
She found out--that she was among the ones who were called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV)!