I saw something amusing the other day that I want to tell you about. We had gone to the San Jacinto monument for the day. (Did you know the monument is 55 stories tall? And, you can take an elevator to the top!) One of the things they had was a petting zoo for children. There was a small goat with its mother nearby in a pen that had several animals in it. Another goat put its head down and bumped the small goat. Immediately, the mother came after that goat and kept after it for a while. I thought that was amusing to see the mother protect her young one that way. But isn’t that what mothers do? They protect their children.
I’m sure you are aware that April is the month that is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month. There are many children today that are treated badly, either mentally, physically or sexually. Governor Abbott signed a proclamation about this, and different groups are doing things to make people aware of abuse and the need to report it. Children need protection from those who can harm them and sometimes that person to protect them is you. If anyone knows of abuse, there is a hotline that can be called to report it (1-800-252-5400) or you can do it online by searching (Texas Abuse Hotline). San Saba has a Child Welfare Board that meets to help the children and families that are in need. You can talk to any of their members.
But Jesus had something to say about this as well. On one occasion the disciples wanted to know who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Note His answer to them. “And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3 and said, ‘Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.’” (Matthew 18:2-6) (NASB)
Jesus loved children and expected them to be cared for. He hasn’t ever changed (Hebrews 13:8) But a horrible punishment awaits the one who treats children in a harmful way and is unrepentant. Let’s pray for children. Let’s pray for abusive homes, and pray that they will get the help that they need. And if you are one who abuses, seek help today!