Bless All the Dear Children

The recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut has touched the hearts of many.  I see the faces of the young victims and cry for the innocence lost.  Regardless of political affiliation, religion, race, we all mourn with the families and hug our own children tighter.

In the past couple of days, though, I've been mindful of the children all over the world who suffer while we go on with our lives.  There are thousands of little ones starving, abused, aborted, sold into the sex trade...but do we shed tears for them?  I suppose it's because while we send our own children to school each day, and thus can relate to the people of Newtown, we don't see our children's faces in those facing other tragedies.

It's time to start.  Jesus said "If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6).  Children have value and worth to God, and so they should have value and worth to us.

What do we do then?  The aches and pains of this world are too much for us to handle.  We can't do it all.  So start at home.  Is your home a safe place for your children and their friends?  What sort of kids are welcome at your home?  Since the Bible says that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), I certainly want my daughters' closest friends to be Christians.  This doesn't mean, however, that I want them to spend time exclusively with Christians.  My girls have friends of different faiths and backgrounds.  We've had children here who've never sat around a table with their family at meal time.  We've had kids spend time playing at our house because they'd be neglected at home.  My daughters know that our couch is open to any young person who needs a place to crash for the night, and our ears are open to anyone who needs somebody to talk to.

From there, branch out.  What's important to you?  Abortion?  Crisis pregnancy centers are always looking for volunteers.  Adoption?  Foster care?  Can you volunteer in the schools or at a shelter?  We all need to start doing all we can to protect our children.