Take This Time To Say A Prayer

Before I start, just a quick update – my baby girl is doing really well.  The doctor has been adjusting her medication and it’s been challenging but for now, she seems to be happy and adjusting well to a new doctor.  When things are good, it’s fun to see her personality and laugh and joke with her.  She can be witty and giggle over silly things and it’s fun to just be silly right along with her.

 I guess that update leads me to what’s on my mind. Along with Autism Awareness Month, it’s also Child Abuse Prevention Month.  And while I know that I’ve touched on this before, the recent news stories  about parents hurting their children has really been hard for me to hear. 

I just don’t understand how anyone, but especially the parent, could be so cruel to a child. I don’t understand what a baby could do that is so terrible that you shake him or her to death. Don’t get me wrong, I know that children of all ages can take you to what I call “that special place.”  I’ve been a mama for a while now and they can really test you. But burning a child, picking up a knife and chasing a child to stab them, leaving toddlers and children home alone for hours while you go out to a party – things like that, take thought and planning. Getting a cigarette, lighting it, and walking over to your child and burning him or her multiple times isn’t something that just happens.

As a former foster parent, I’ve seen the damage that abuse can do to a child.  And while many of us automatically think of physical or sexual abuse, know that child abuse can come in many forms. To me, verbal abuse can be just as damaging. Neglect is also a form of abuse. Children need our attention and our time. They need direction and guidance. 

So this month I’m asking that we all say a prayer for the children who are living everyday with abuse and neglect.  Often they suffer in silence and we don’t realize what they are going through.  And use this month to pray for guidance in the raising of your own children. I’m not saying any of you reading would hurt or neglect your child, but remember, times aren’t the way they used to be. Maybe that sleepover your daughter or son wants to attend isn’t such a good idea. And finally pray for the minds of those who find it so easy to hurt children. I know it may sound strange that I would ask for you to pray that prayer but anyone who would willingly seek to hurt a child really needs prayer… and a jail cell.

I saw a quote on the Prevent Child Abuse America website that I think sums it up:  “We all play a role when it comes to the healthy development of our nation’s children.”