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Care For The Children By: Shirley
James 1:27 " Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this; to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
ALL children should have a happy, problem- free childhood. Unfortunately, ALL childrem are not well-fed, well-clothed, well-schooled, well- adjusted or well-cared for and loved.
Many of the world's young are hungry, both physically and emotionally. They lack proper clothing, education, supervision, attention, and the most basic need, love. They are abused physically, verbally, and emotionally, deprived of love, attention, and even the necessities of life. Other children are just 'hard to handle,' raised by parents who do not have a lot of time to devote to them for reasons such as work pressures, among other things. This in a child having a 'hopeless' attitude about life in general.
We as individual Christians are unable to reach ALL the unfortunate children, but we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.
The Greek definition for "visit" in this verse means: 'to inspect, select, to go to see, relieve, look out.'
Selecting a child that is in need and relieving his affliction is to be a 'doer' of God's Word. We can help lift the too-heavy burden of a child and bring a smile to a solemn face that seldom expresses happiness.
Abused children live in fear and rejection, with a distorted view of life and God. Having been exposed to the harsher realities of life, they are not easily trusting. Patiently showing these little ones the love of Christ may eventually penetrate the wall of mistrust they have constructed around themselves.
Children with behavioral problems need to feel love, acceptance, and understanding. Yet all too often they are shown impatience and exasperation by the adults around them. This causes them to react negatively, reinforcing the idea that these children are 'impossible.'
Christ sees the potential in each child, and He depends on His 'grown' children to help them develop that potential. This requires us to give of our time, love, and even finances. But the rewards of befriending an unlovely child and seeing that child become transformed by our love and efforts are great.
Often all it takes for a child to develop and blossom is to realize that SOMEONE CARES. After all, while we were 'unlovely' Christ died for us, transforming our lives by His love and mercy. The realization that Jesus loves us causes us to want to grow and mature into the "children" He would have us be.
Christ ahs freely given to us, so we must freely give to others. If WE sow love, acceptance, and understanding, we will reap the same.
Jesus says let the little children come to Him. Let us HELP them come to the one that can change their life and give them hope! Find a child and love and care for her/him. You will make a world of difference!
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