Cathy's Corner

Cathy’s Corner

 

In 1989 there was a book written by Valerie Bell titled Nobody’s Children. Here is an excerpt from that book.

A song called “Bless the Beasts and the Children” describes the low status of childhood.

Bless the beasts and the children. For in this world they have no voice. They have no choice.

Something alarming is happening to children in America today. We can easily recognize that children are America’s most silent minority group. They have no voice. They have no choice. They have little power. Like beasts they are easily taken advantage of, exploited. They are small, weak, and powerless; they are easily victimized. When their childhood voices turn adult twenty years from now, what will we learn then about their childhoods? Will they praise us for the nurturing we’ve given them to carry into their lifetimes? Will generations to come remember our parental era with thankfulness? Or will they shake their heads in dismay over what we’ve set in motion? In twenty years they will tell us what they can’t now, but then it will be too late to make changes in their lives. We should be concerned about children not only because they are our future, not only because they will be our final interpreters to a remembering world, but we should be concerned for children because of their helplessness, their total dependence on the adult world to act on their behalf.

That book was written twenty years ago but I think it could have been written about present day.

Twenty years ago I was the Mother of children ages 11, 6, 3, and 1.Where did those years go? Can my children look back and say they had a good childhood? Can they be thankful? I look back and see things I would have done different and things I would have done the same. All of us make mistakes as parents and most of us do the very best we can. Sometimes we get things right and sometimes we just mess it up royally. There were many times I had to ask my kids for forgiveness. But they still love me unconditionally and I them. They know I would go to bat for them at the drop of a hat. When Cassandra wanted to sing and dance at the school talent show, I played the piano and helped her choreograph her song, when she wanted to go to Law school I was her biggest supporter and advocate. When J wanted to play football I ended up being his coach in 5^th and 6^th grades and when he wanted to enlist in the Army, I was (somewhat reluctantly) his biggest supporter and advocate. When Kiersten became the High School Mascot I attended almost every home game in 90 degree weather and rain and snow. When she wanted to become a Meteorologist and chase tornadoes I was her biggest supporter and advocate. When Caitlin wanted to try out for Drum Major in High School and made it, once again I tried to attend almost every home game. When she wanted to go to school and have a career in music and theater I have been her biggest supporter and advocate. And I have always been their biggest prayer warrior. In the heart of all of that support and encouragement was a life centered around Jesus Christ and I tried to always point every situation, every circumstance back to Christ and how He was working and is working in their lives. I taught Sunday school and served in Children’s Choirs. I had a vested interest in their spiritual upbringing not just at home but at church as well whether I was on staff or not. I have always been their biggest advocate.

Today we have children that need an advocate, they need someone who will champion them and support them. We have children that need adults who will love them and encourage them. Perhaps here at church is the only place some of them get that support and encouragement. Twenty years from now what will these children say about our parenting and grand parenting? What will they say about our church? Did we do all we could to encourage parents to take up their rightful mantle and be the spiritual leaders of their child’s life? Did we provide a spiritual foundation for our preschoolers?

 The past year we began with about 80 new teachers. We asked for a one year commitment and appreciate those who have served this year. The investment you have made will make an eternal difference. If you will be returning to an Adult Connection Class this next year I ask that you pray for teachers to replace yourself and for those classes that were never filled. Hopefully you had a good experience serving in Preschool and you will pass a good word on to the adult departments. A letter has been mailed to our parents reminding them of our One Year One, One Year Off strategy. Please be in prayer for Anna, Kerri, Lori Anne and me as we contact them about serving in Preschool next year. 

 

Proverbs 31:8a– Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves….

 

 

Have a great day in the Lord