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“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” - Matthew 25:40
Images from the news can change your life. While I was attending seminary in Philadelphia, there was a report about a three year old whose mother had gotten angry with him and told him to go find a new mommy. The child took his mother seriously and started knocking on doors asking people if they would be his new mommy. I wish he had knocked on my door. I would have been his mommy. I know it’s not that easy but almost a decade later, I still think of that poor wounded child.
This month is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During April, it is timely to consider what we have done for the least of these. Who better qualifies as the least of these than children too young to defend themselves from a parent’s anger? Children too naïve to know that they are not the problem, their parents’ poor choices are the problem not them. What we have done for the poor wounded children? What we have done for parents at the breaking point? What have we done as individuals and as churches for the children of our communities and our world?
All children are our children. They may not live in our homes or even in our neighborhood. They may not even know our names, but as people of faith, they are ours. We are called to love them with the love of Christ. We are called to care about the things that wound them. We are called to serve them in Jesus’ name. What will service look like? Perhaps its prayer, perhaps it’s supporting the parents you know, perhaps it’s loving the children in your neighborhood and at your church, perhaps its something more becoming an advocate for children or even a foster parent. I don’t know what God is calling you to do for wounded children. I am still praying about what this call means for my own family.
I do know one thing we can do during National Child Abuse Prevention month is pray. Pray for the parent nearing the breaking point. Pray for the child wounded by his/her parent’s actions. Pray for the social workers, teachers and others working with wounded children. Pray for our churches that we may be supportive, equipping environments for children and parents. Pray for the least of these, whoever they are and whatever wounds need healing.
Let us pray: Loving God, Help us to love with your love. Help us to heal the broken and to support parents who are struggling. Help us to show the world that all people are beautiful and valuable in your sight. Amen.
Lori Dvirnak Lundblad
Pastor
First Baptist Church
Rock Springs, WY
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