Thought for Today
Deuteronomy 11:18 You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
Psalm 34:11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called for them and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.
Luke 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
There was an Amber Alert on our local television news this morning. My first thought was how wonderful our technology is today, allowing this information to be shared throughout the region, alerting countless people to be on the alert. Certainly this is an example of a beneficent use of technology to improve our lives.
This particular Amber Alert concerned 2 young children who are missing. The authorities believe a 4-year-old and an infant have been kidnapped by one of the parents. I assumed from the story that this is a family dispute involving custody of the children.
As I pondered on this event, I began to wonder, “What lesson is that parent teaching those children?” If the parent is able to successfully escape detection and establish a new identity in a new locale, the 3 will be living a lie for the rest of their lives. The 4-year-old may well have some memories of their previous life and of the other parent. Some sort of elaborate lie will have to be concocted to explain away those memories. Is living a lie teaching those children that lying is an appropriate way of living? Does that abducting parent believe that defying our legal and justice system is acceptable and is that parent teaching those children that it is acceptable?
I can only imagine the level of desperation that might drive a parent to such extremes. I do know that many of us have experienced situations that seemed hopeless. Situations that seemed to demand extreme action. Imagine yourself as a parent in Ukraine, Gaza or Israel today. Imagine yourself as a parent in Russia today.
Parenting is a difficult and demanding profession and should always be approached as a profession. It demands conscious, deliberate thought, hard work and often self-sacrifice. As far as I have determined to date, it is a job that never ends. When she was in her 90’s, I asked my own mother, “When do you stop worrying about your children?” Without missing a beat, she told me, “I’ll let you know!”
Parenting should never be taken lightly. Parenting should never be undertaken on a whim or as some sort of conforming to social expectations. Even with the best of planning, the best intentions and the best conditions, things can and will happen. Situations will have to be addressed. Sometimes, despite all a parent’s efforts, despite the availability of all the financial resources necessary, the desired conclusion will not come about.
The good news for Christians is that God understands. One of the most common titles for Jesus is ‘Son of God.’ One of the most well-known verses of scripture is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” God did not accidentally send the Son. God did not send the Son to meet any societal expectations. God did not send the Son lightly, nor did God abandon or ignore Jesus during any of his ministry, betrayal, trial or crucifixion. God never stopped worrying about Jesus.
Luke was correct. God sent God’s Son so that “all who received him, who believed in his name”, might “become children of God.” The gospel good news for Christians is “Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Through our faith, we become children of God. God never abandons God’s children, never stops being our worrying parent.
Today, pray for those 2 kidnapped children. Pray for all the children who are in areas of conflict. Pray for all those children in need of food, shelter and parental love. Pray for all the children being taught the wrong lessons about life. As Christians, we know that they are our own siblings in the family of our Creator God.
Stay safe, pray, trust God,
Pastor Ray