“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” – Psalms 127:3 (NKJV)
What has happened in our country that so many no longer consider children a blessing as God intended? It seems that daily we hear of stories of children being mistreated that rend the heart of those who care.
Consider these true stories told to me:
• A church youth worker was informed by a student at a Christian camp that her mother was jealous of her because the mother’s boyfriend seemed to like the daughter better than the mother. He had tried to get in bed with the daughter. The youth worker watched as the bus pulled into the church, the girl got out and got in the car with her mother to go home.
• A group of ladies from a church make “comfort bags” for children who have had to be taken from parents because of drug use.
• A family sits together around the table where all are using drugs.
• Parents “farm out” their children for money to those who would use them for sexual acts.
• A small child died when a woman’s boyfriend got angry and threw the child against the corner of a table.
• A lady told of being arrested and convicted of murdering her child. She said her boyfriend had talked her into confessing to get himself cleared. He had been burning the child with cigarette butts and eventually killed the child.
• A girl, age eleven, is in a facility because she was a victim of sexual abuse.
Unfortunately, these are not isolated incidents. We are hearing similar stories over and over. There is no doubt that the use of drugs is behind many of the terrible things that are happening to our children. Alcohol, of course, is also a major cause. Many of our children are helpless and hopeless behind closed doors. We are living in a time when self-pleasure seems to be the god that many serve. That god is often served with little or no regard for others and the pain that is inflicted upon them.
It is encouraging to hear of the good work our Missouri Baptist Children’s Home is doing. However, it is only a drop in the bucket when compared to the great need of our present time. In addition to their work, it would be good if our churches could do more to reach families and children in their communities. Those who are happy and content going to church week after week enjoying the fellowship of other Christians need to realize that our communities, and indeed our country, are fast disintegrating. Children are waiting for someone to help them do what they cannot do for themselves. Backpacks of food, free school supplies, free haircuts and clothing, etc. do not solve the real problem of the danger they are in. Greater help is definitely needed!
Those who would say, “Kids today!” implying that children are at fault for bad behavior, might want to change that phrase to, “Parents today”! The only real hope is Christ. We have a duty!