What Are We Doing To Ourselves? (Part 4)

Psalm 127:3

New International Version

Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.

For Meditation

A child, ignorant, naïve, fearful, yet trusting, needing protection. The parent is their best source of all these needs and support for growth. Mommy’s love is their best warmth and assurance, and Daddy’s presence is such a protective cover and provision. But what happens when Mommy and Daddy fail the child?

Since her last promotion, she has been too busy at work for so long; she misses the loving interactions at home. Expressions of love come electronically, not the warm personal times together. It shows, but who notices? Mommy can now afford to fill the cracks with the things that every child delights in having. Computer games consume the boy-child’s attention. Over time, he pushes down his need for Mommy’s presence and love.

Daddy, as always, is the charming one. Though sometimes, brash, his little darling, sees no better man in this world. His wisdom surpasses King Solomon’s, so his darling girl seeks counsel when he is available. He was doing well until the business travel overwhelmed his availability. Yet, the dear girl defends Daddy against Mommy’s protests.

This family’s parents never expected things to get so bad, and they reacted like ostriches, burying their heads in the sand. This left them vulnerable. Now, with the cameras off and the situation exposed, the community can step in. Their caring eyes and hearts can be the constant, watchful presence needed to protect the vulnerable.

The family across the road is not that upscale. However, they lack the parental skills and ability to raise their family. Victims of their depraved backgrounds, they carry around their wounds of lack, neglect, and abuse. Glaringly, the saying that the abused become the worst abusers shows in their family. The only discipline they know is shouting, beating, and denying their child the basic needs. Slowly, they push the child to the hawks. You cannot give what you don’t have is the silent mantra playing in the family.

Regardless of their backgrounds, both families experienced similar outcomes. The spectrum of abuse included verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual, among others. Some of this suffering originates internally, fueled by silence, imagination, and personal struggles. Other traumas stem from external sources, inflicted by abusers. These individuals could be close family, friends, mentors, teachers, coaches, bullies, or even drug dealers—people they should have been able to trust except the drug dealers.  

Facing abuse at home, silenced by shame, family loyalty, fear, and peer influence, the child struggles through development alone. Prompt intervention—through reporting, therapy, or support—can avert lasting harm. Some lose hope and succumb to destructive behaviors, swelling the ranks of street children, while others take their own lives. Yet, who truly cares?

When some religious leaders and workers who must command the utmost trust have become the worst abusers, who can these vulnerable children turn to? Where is hope?

Christ, and Him alone, is the hope for these precious ones, tainted beyond recognition. Like diamonds mined from the ground, only Christ can bring the beauty out of them. However, you and I are the heart, mind, hands, and feet of Christ Jesus in the lives of these little children. That is why Jesus calls us to let the little children come to Him and not to hinder them (Matthew 19:14). We should bring them to him early. They are a heritage from the Lord, offspring, and a reward from him (Psa. 127:3).

We should pray for their salvation, even when they are not our own, but we share a neighborhood or community. Confront abusers with the heart of Christ to save parent and child; provide when you can; report chronic and escalating abuses, and don’t look away, thinking it does not concern you, or that God has cursed them. Support age-appropriate legislation and pray for the salvation of our neighbors. Anything contrary is a faulty knowledge of God—bad theology, misplaced priorities, lack of faith, greed, and selfishness. It is a limited future mindset, closing our eyes to eternal perspectives.

God help us.