Dave M, Scott, Hans and all, I am overwhelmed

[BobHunt]

today, as I drove home. I could hardly see the road ahead of me because my heart was broken and eyes full of tears. It was because of two articles I read in the newspaper today.
In Lansing, Illinois yesterday, a man was arguing with his estranged wife over the custody of their children. They were at a Firestone Dealer, and he pulled out his 357 and while she was still in the car, shot her once in the head. Evidently she was still in shock as she drove over a curb, across a real busy street and crashed into some parked cars. They found her sprawled across the front seat, dead. The sad part was, their two young children witnessed all of this.
Then today, I read about a single Grandma, who was raising two grandchildren by herself, and she needed to get the kids' report card at school, and the only way she could get it was by seeing their teacher. The hard part was when because she worked a full time job.
My heart breaks for these children who have witnessed such things as beatings and stabbings of their own parents, many times by the spouse or other loved ones. It leaves a scar that never goes away, and the worlds shrinks are powerless to help.
I wonder what the churches role is in this, what could they do to help, to change things, to help these poor orphans who have mental and physical scars. Is there any program or any ministry in the COTN that addresses these needs?
Maybe it is different where you live, but around here one of the greatest ways the enemy fights is the family. The evil one loves to break apart families. Sometimes even Christian people do not realize how the devil slowly but surely helps them to give their hearts away, one tiny part at a time, seeminly so harmless, but gradually he chips away, until the home is broken and scared and children suffer.
My heart has been broken today, for children who still love parents who may not love them back.

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

It is so hardbreaking, but it leaves me wordless, to even begin to know how to respond, to things like this.
We have been close to, and known some of these situations, during the years Dwayne was a bi-vocational pastor-working for DHS in the State of Tennessee. Our three oldest grandchildren were from a very bad home situation. Our daughter and husband have had them since 1991, and they are 17, 18 and 19-each working on studying for what they wish to do in their future lives.
My youngest sister (adopted) was from a bad situation, also. We just can't reach them all, and that is heartbreaking.

[Jill Mickelson]

Because of my childhood, I have a GREAT burden for Children. I pray on Mondays for the Children of the world! Many times, I pray other days throughout the week. Often, the Lord will show me how He is rescuing the Children of the world. As we all know, PRAYER IS POWERFUL! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

[Gina Stevenson]

... of my niece's family, whose father-in-law shot his wife & then himself.

Her home, also, has been less than tranquil ... learned of some things in recent year or so, too, that we weren't sure of. Now, being separated, we pray for her & the four kids' protection.

Thank you for remembering to pray for them as well when you pray for me.

[Tami Martin]

I suspect that the passage in Matthew 25 applies:

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."


As for me, taking care of those children you describe is my day job. I help teach them another way to behave. Give them another example of what adults are like. Help their teachers and coaches and babysitters understand their special needs. It doesn't pay a hoot, but it's very rewarding work.