BackTalk: Who Protects the Children?

Mr. Howard,

I felt the outpouring of your heart. Who protects the children? That is a profound question.

We have a tendency, in face of our present situation concerning the state of our children, to place the blame and the shame on everyone except ourselves. Who will protect the children? There are so many children who are crying out for help, almost to the point of overwhelming the community.

Where do we begin so
that we will make a positive and real impact on our children? I have
worked, like so many other people here in Asheville, with children for
over thirty years, and I, for one, am at a loss. I am willing, however,
to work with a group of interested people to help find solutions to the
problems, which are multi-faceted.

I read the following quotations recently which was authored by Pastor
Edgar Mayer of the Living Grace Community Lutheran Church in Australia:

“Jesus said – Matthew 21:16: Have you ever read: From the lips of
children and infants [original: you have] ‘God has ordained praise?’
The Bible also says – Ephesians 3:20-21: ‘Now to Him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power
that is at work in us, to Him be glory and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, forever and ever! Amen.’

Can we see the connection to parenting? Throughout all generations,
which includes this generation of our children and therefore makes
teaching them more important than anything else, more than all we ask
or imagine. There is His power at work in us-and by God’s grace also in
our children.

“What is it that you do, my dear?” The question may be asked in an
unpleasant tone judging our priorities but may every one of us answer:
‘I am here for the next generation. May they learn to praise God and
learn that from me.

It takes a village to raise a child. There will be other people
imparting skills and values into your child. And every one of us may be
one of those other people. We need each other. We need to be close to
raise up the next generation.

Another quote, written by Kerby T. Alvy, Ph. D-Studio City, California:

“All children have the right to fulfill their full potential as human
beings and the right to be free of abuse, neglect and exploitation. The
best way to protect their rights is to provide their parents with the
best training to raise them effectively and peacefully.”

How do we help without parents feeling that we are infringing on their
rights? I believe the quotations make it clear that parents are not in
this by themselves, we are all responsible, but to what extent? These
things need to be discussed with parents represented.

As teachers, we are expected to guide children, but outside of the
teaching profession or the ministry, would help be accepted? In today’s
society, I am not sure.

What can we do?
Sarah Williams