Not every parent gives good gifts to their children. There are those parents who are so self-absorbed that their children are neglected and/or abused in order to satisfy their own egos; their own desires. Years ago I was doing substance abuse assessments on new intakes at a youth correctional facility. One young man told me how his uncle who was his guardian beat him with an electric cord when he didn't live up to his uncle's expectation. I asked for an example of what would get him a beating. This teen was expected to keep the house clean. On his knees, he used a scrub brush and rags to clean the floors. Of course, this is not unheard of. Many of us still do this. However, if his uncle found the job to be unsatisfactory, the boy would bare his back and the uncle would beat him with an electric cord. I asked to see his back. His dark skin was covered in stark white and fresh pink scars; too many scars to even count. I cannot comprehend how anyone could hurt anyone like this. I do not recall why this child was in the correctional facility. However, the atrocities that were committed against him by someone who should have been caring for him are burned into my mind.
Not all parents or guardians know how to give good gifts to their children. But, it is not so with our heavenly Father. Whether we live up to all of the standards the world would set for us; our Father in heaven loves us and cares for us. Every now and then I cannot help but give thanks in wonder at why He should bless me so richly.
Let us give thanks to God for our life and our breath and for His loving presence with us always. May He also put a spirit of unconditional love into the hearts of all who are in positions to care for children. And, we all are!
God's Peace - Pr. J
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