Recently in the news, I heard and read about a woman in New York who drove her vehicle into the river. Inside were her four children. When I hear of a tragedy such as this, I am always amazed. Why would she do this? She is the only one who may ever know.

Three of her children died, but one of them rolled down a window and swam to safety. This has to be the only bright spot to this story. And yet, here is a child who will forever live with the horrific night that he almost died, and his mother and siblings did.

When people who knew her were interviewed they said she was a good mother. She worked, went to school and raised these four children alone. The day care worker said, when she picked up her youngest, she was sad looking and said she felt all alone and had no one. She saw no way out of a difficult situation.

April is child abuse awareness and prevention month. It is a time when we need to be aware of children who may be abused, physically and emotionally. It is a time when we need to learn how to better prevent abuse from happening. It is a time we learn what abuse is and get help if we need it.

I can almost understand how a person could get so overwhelmed. Raising children isn’t easy. Raising them alone is even harder. However, never can I see when it is appropriate to harm a child.

In Matthew’s gospel he writes, "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea." (18:6 NASB) Jesus loved and cared for children. He always had time for children. On one occasion the apostles told mothers Jesus was too busy for them to touch their children to be blessed. Jesus rebuked them and blessed these children. (Mk. 10:13-16)

Today, if you are struggling and need help, reach out before you harm a child. If you feel alone, find someone to help you. There are churches, government programs, etc. that will help. We all need to be aware of what goes on around us, and to help those who have a need.