Alarming times, disturbing things
Precariousness that spares none;
Not the weak and vulnerable
Not even the helpless little ones.
Evil, stretching ugly hands
Both in good and tough times
To one and to all at the same time
Even toward the defenseless:
Yet at a time like this
When celebrations are in the air
Take time to pause and ponder
The daily lot of your little ones.

A lot of us are so consumed with providing the best for our families that we spare little or no time to connect, evaluate, and discern between our wants and dreams for them, and their true needs. If we peer deeply and honestly, we’d likely see that our best intentions and earnest pursuits are feeding the wants while needs are gaping, barely scratched, in fact untouched by our time-consuming sweat and efforts. The innocence of our little ones are being sacrificed daily to the gods of ignorance, nonchalance, carelessness, godlessness, competition and greed, and many of us discern it not.

What shall it profit a parent who makes it all only to end up with “disfigured” adults whose foundation and childhood were rubbished, robbed and disfigured while we pursued a fitting means? Then tomorrow we sit back and wonder how come, after all we sacrificed and suffered to provide them with the best? How could they turn out this way?

In this upside down world and times, values are switching per second and many are swept away by myriad definitions that are far from reality. Realizing too late that what we embraced while raising them was a lie doesn’t easily undo the damage to young impressionable minds. Regrets and wishing for “different” doesn’t change what has become of them because of exposures they should have been protected from. That we didn’t know doesn’t save either party from the painful consequences of preventable ruins. And the fact that it’s easier to build than to mend should serve as a loud wake up call to every parent.

This is not the time for blame and excuses. This is not the time to ignore, pretend or act like all is well. In this season of celebration, ponder the lot of the vulnerable ones in your care; ask questions, probe deeper and trust God to reveal and to guide you to implement corrective measures before it is too late. If righteous foundations can be attacked, deformed and destroyed, how much more foundations that are yet to be formed? Be a part of the resource, a part of the raw materials, a part of the building: don’t leave the foundations of your helpless ones in the hands and care of questionable values.

Blessings
Glory!