How often, when I am out shopping, I see young children without shoes, and their feet dirty, walking with lazy looking unkempt parents..
Going to the office of my granddaughters school this week I was the shocked witness to a neglected child.
She came in to tell the office worker she was hungry.
The lady behind the desk asked where her lunch was.
The little girl informed her that she ate it at recess.
The lady asked her again, why she didn't keep some for lunch time.
The child's answer again was, "I was hungry."
I took money out of my purse and told her to go and buy something to eat at the school canteen.
Later I realised, I should have gone with her to make sure she got something nourishing.
I was too shocked! She looked like she had slept in her school uniform.
Her hair was matted, not washed or combed.
I can't get her out of my mind.
Seeing her served as a reminder to me, that I have so much to be thankful for.
I pray that little girl comes to know the loving Saviour I know, and finds solace in him.
I also pray that her parents, and other such parents, count their blessings and work to support their children properly.
No matter who the child is, they are innocent and need our help... more than just our pity.
"Provide for those who grieve in Zion—(the children here)
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.".... (Lets see them happy.)
Isaiah 61:3 to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.".... (Lets see them happy.)
This is a cause near and dear to my heart. Although I am non-violent, there are parents I would love to shake, just to try and get some sense in their heads. They wouldn't even consider treating an animal as poorly as they do their own children. You're right- we need to take action to this instead of just paying lip service to it~
ReplyDeleteI am thinking how my church could reach out to this school and give breakfast to the children who perhaps don't have any.
DeleteAmen to your words. These children and children like the little girl everywhere need our prayers but also our concrete help. God bless you for caring.
ReplyDeleteYes, they need our help indeed.
DeleteSo nice to hear you did this. Our church has a feeding plan for two schools for this very reason. Kids were coming to school starving. Once our church stepped in and started feeding these kids the schools average jumped up almost 40%!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this story.
<><
I am interested in doing something like this.
DeleteThis touched me!
ReplyDeleteI hope many are touched and that they respond. Even helping one child, is one less hungry.
DeleteI echo the words above from "Joyful - These children and children like the little girl everywhere need our prayers but also our concrete help." But would also like to add that the people who care for children be it parents, grandparents or guardians also need our prayers and help. God bless you for caring.
ReplyDeleteYes, prayer is needed..
DeleteA good parent would go hungry themselves to keep their child fed. And then there's the other kind.
ReplyDeleteHow can a parent see their child hungry?
DeleteI had an opportunity yesterday to visit one of our city's preschools for homeless children. We happened to come when it was nap time, and as we peeked into every classroom, children slept on their cots, teachers sat quietly with the lights out, and music played softly. A bit of love and stability in an otherwise chaotic life. I'm so grateful that not all children are invisible.
ReplyDeleteC - did you know the Jewish New Year 5773 Ayin Gimel is the Year of the Camel (:
Thank you for telling me about the homeless childrens pre-school. It sounds a compassionate caring place. I didn't know about the Jewish New Year at all. Very interesting. xx
DeleteDear Crystal, your story batters my heart. So much pain in our world and misery and the fact that so many children go hungry and so many are homeless is not only a tragedy but a moral outrage. Peace.
ReplyDeleteHeat touching as it should be...the Lord said in the last days hearts would grow cold and hardened...this is proof of that. I am glad you were there to give her lunch money...I hope to think that secretary would have given her food...but then you never know. :(
ReplyDeleteHeart...
ReplyDeleteAmen! Sandie
ReplyDeleteAbout 2 yrs ago when a classmate stole half of my daughter's sandwich out of her lunchbox, my eyes were "really opened." I learned that the child was neglected. The next lunch I packed more than enough and told my daughter to make sure to offer the classmate. Thanks for shining light on this subject through your post.
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal Mary,
ReplyDeleteOh! This post really touched and moved my heart in a special way.
Your story reminds me of many things that happened in our lives.
I just can't tolerate violence and cruel abuses in any form,
especially in children. Children are so vulnerable, and they are
the adults of the future. So, families should protect their young ones.
Thank you so much for sharing this story with the world, Crystal!!
You are a lovely Christian lady with a caring heart.
Thank you also for sharing your heartfelt comments in my blogs!!
God may bless you all, my dear friend, Crystal!
Blessings,
Poet Starry Dawn.
you got a beautiful heart...you see what most overlook....
ReplyDeleteDear friend, you're deed will not go unrewarded. Freely we recieve and freely we should give when we see a need. God bless you.
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●Feliz DÃa●
★MaRiBeL
This post speaks to the plight of many children and parents. So often, children follow the example provided by their parents and the cycle continues when they become parents. Giving a few cents for lunch to feed the neglected child was given from the heart. Maybe, you should have gone with her to make sure, but that is not what is important. It's important that you cared enough to reach into your purse and "give" freely. It is easy for us to become angry at the parents, but if we look at them through the eyes of the Lord, our anger gives-way to love and compassion. We may ask ourselves: How can we help this parent and other parents like her/him? Are they hurting, depressed, abused? Sadly, whatever they are going through transfers to their children. As a teacher for 20 years and an assistant principal for 2 years, I have seen how reaching out to the parent can help the child. I have reached out and my hand was gladly received...Other times, my hand was rejected.... Although hurt and saddened by their rejection of a hand-up, I know that I have planted the seed of compassion in the heart of the one I reached-out to. The Lord requires that I plant the seed and He will do the rest. Keep reaching out and giving, as your compassion plants seeds of hope and love. ~Cynthia
ReplyDeleteVery sad, Crystal Mary. Seeing a neglected child has to be one of the worst things to EVER experience... Here, since there are so many problems with adults being on drugs---the children are left on their own so much of the time. It's horrible...
ReplyDeleteAnother problem we have here is children that are 'neglected' in other ways ---mainly not receiving any discipline from parents/caregivers.. Children's behavior has gotten worse and worse here.. It is unbelievable to see so many children acting HORRIBLE --in stores and restaurants.. Who is in charge????? Yipes!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
What a sad moment...seeing a child in need. Your kindess will likely be remembered for much longer than the lunch you bought.
ReplyDeleteSo many hungry tummies, and so many more hungry spirits. How lovely your kindness was to her. Thank you for the reminder to watch for those opportunities.
Here is a great way for the community to help the parents help their children: http://www.krtv.com/news/north-middle-school-parents-laud-food-pantry-program/
ReplyDeleteBlessed your good heArt sister. Yes, poor children and lots of them. Ny heart bleeds for them too and I pray and give help to the street children with the Resources God is giving me too. Been there too.
ReplyDeleteHi Chrystal Mary,
ReplyDeleteI too pray for the child and her family. It is awful when children are neglected. They are precious in the eyes of the Lord.
I have been away from blogging for a few months, but I'm back now. I enjoyed stopping by your blog and reading what you have written.
God bless,
Ken