Children
I want to talk about children. Ministries who help pregnant women and children are awesome. Why I believe what they do is critical and why their mission is so important? Let me tell you. First thoughts are when I got my high school sweetheart pregnant and the only resource and choice provided was Adoption because her parents were Catholic plus me. I was a scared confused teenager who at the time was also loosing my stable home life. Later in life I was blessed with meeting my daughter that was born from that union and she has blessed this world so much. A loving family had raised her, she has had many beautiful children, and my relationship with her has grown. One of the first ministries that I was involved with was an unwed mother’s home. We gave women information that allowed them to make good choices, a place to stay if needed and knowledge of resources to help them in their motherhood.
Over the years my focus has grown to include children of all ages. Youth Centers, Sunday School, teacher, mentor, mission trips, food bank … all God inspired. I believe in the principal “take care of the children”. In general, if you work with children bless you and thanks. People that are in children’s lives work hard to help them grow, achieve their dreams, stretch and learn. Workers and the children feel greatly blessed and really understand more about God and his purposes for each one of them.
I truly believe that life begins at inception, it starts with a woman’s womb. Motherhood begins there as a responsibility to do their utmost best to protect, to care and provide for that child. At birth the process of caring for that child takes a great toll on your finances, your mind, your life changes because everything from that point forward is focused on caring for that child. Rewards are great from the first heartbeat, smiles, walking and so many rays of sunshine from their cute personalities.
Our way of life with children is under attack! Just think about the abortion challenges going on, look at the school happenings from shootings to teachers being underpaid plus not working because of other challenges they face each day. Schools have armed guards on hand at all times so you can see protecting our children, raising our children, taking care of our children is key to our society surviving. A recent study shows that 54% of the population Ages 16 to 74 read below six grade reading level. Some recommend that you start early in life with children, helping them understand words and reading, By attacking this literacy issue head-on, being aware of it and intentional, from birth to six, reading to your child, singing lullabies to your child but really getting them to know words. Recently I was blessed with the opportunity of working with first graders and what is called sight words. These words are ones that they should know right off the bat just by looking at them by the end of first grade so that is a goal that they are asked to meet. It was amazing that some of the children had already learned them and knew them right off while others struggled with simple words.
What is my point in all of these words. Get involved, speak up, volunteer, be intentional in your family-community to enact change. Support ministries, teachers, schools, mothers, fathers and the list goes on. As Christians we must stand up to protect children, teach them about community and who they are. Provide assistance in prayer and deed to enable both mental and physical help to be available to children in their life’s journey. I have mentioned many ways and given examples on being involved in this blog. Pray and He will guide you.