A friend reminded me last night of how unaware I (as well as most people) are of how others live around us. She is a teacher and sees a lot during her day (good and bad). I think that those of us that are fortunate enough to have a house and food on the table and a warm place to sleep, tend to forget that there are so many other children out there (some right down the street from us) that don't have that luxury. There are children in our neighborhoods that come to school hungry or dirty. Some haven't had a bath all week. Some don't know where their next meal is coming from.
Unfortunately, the children can not control their environment when they are little. They have to trush their parents to take care of them, feed them, cloth them, and give them the best opportunities they can so they can grow up and be descent human beings. THAT, as parents, is our greatest responsibility. We have to put aside our selfish ways and think of our children first.
When my friend talked about some of the things she sees at school and how some children live day after day, it absolutely broke my heart. I cried all the way home. I felt so helpless. At that moment, I wanted to take all the children that were hurting and scared and just hug them and love them and tell them that everything would be alright. I wanted to do something!! Now, realistically, I know that isn't possible. The best I can do (or any of us can do) for other people's children is to pray for them and hope that some day their parents or caretakers see how important their little lives are. I pray that these adults (and I use that term loosely) can put away their vises and crutches and addictions long enough to see what it is doing to their child/children. Somehow the cycle has to be broken.
We can be examples for these children. That is why I am so grateful for teachers. For at least 7-8 hours a day these kids can get a normal routine and not have to wonder where they need to go or what they need to do. They can get a warm meal and lots and lots of hugs from the love of their teachers. Praise the Lord for these teachers. They have the most difficult and important job in the world and don't get paid NEAR what they are worth!
I want to challenge those out there that are struggling with a purpose in their lives or that feel depressed or trapped. I want to challenge you to give the love to your children. Say a nice word, give a smile, give a hug...even if it's a small one...It's a start. Children come into this world trusting and loving their parents. All they ask in return is to be loved back. That's all. Surely we can give that to them. Make their Christmas/Holiday season special this year. Give them security and stability. That's our job. I don't know about you, but I don't want to look back years from now and realize that I FAILED my children. What an awful feeling that would be. Could YOU live with yourself?? I know I couldn't.....
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