Unbelievable. I was dumbstruck. You’ve heard all about it as well and probably became as disgusted as I was when I read the story. A Tennessee woman was so eager to be a mom that she spent a lot of money and went through years of preparation to adopt a child from Russia. But when he turned out to be more of a challenge then she bargained for, she thought she could just return him, like you would a coffee pot at Wal-Mart because it lacked the features you expected to be standard. Evidently, she had some fantasy idea that bringing into her home a seven-year old orphan from Russia would be instant joy and the child would be free from challenges. And when reality shattered her dream of what being a mom would be like, without any thought given to the well-being or even safety of the child, she shipped him off on an airliner headed back to Moscow, by himself, and a note pinned to his shirt, like it was written for the Kindergarten teacher.
Rightly so, Russian officials were infuriated. And now prospective parents who are willing to make the commitment to do whatever it takes for the best interest of their adopted children, are placed in limbo, though some of these parents were only hours from taking custody of their children. I’m not sure I’d want to be this woman trying to shop nonchalantly at the neighborhood grocery store. Not too many people sympathize with her.
But this story only stands out because the circumstances are unusual. A lot of parents are pretty nasty about running away from the responsibility they took on with their children when they made the choices that led either to conception or adoption. Once that child is in our care, God will hold us responsible for their well-being. I can guarantee that God is not happy about what this mother did to that little boy, but He is equally angry (yes…. ANGRY) with parents who physically or emotionally abuse their children, run out on them to pursue their own selfish desires, argue and scream at the child’s mom or dad in front of them (or within earshot), slander the child’s other parent or grandparents, drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs with them in the automobile, etc. Jesus made it quite clear that those who would harm a child will be judged by God (Luke 17:2). Some of these more “acceptable” behaviors are just as harmful to children than if they were shipped off to another country. Running off on your kids is no different then sending them away. God holds these harmful behaviors in equal disdain. If you are one who yells at your spouse in front of your kids, drives under the influence with them in the car-seat, or care more about your passionate “affair,” than you do your spouse or your children, pay attention to this! God does not look on these things lightly!
Parents, you have an enormous responsibility before God to care for and properly train your children. Dissatisfaction at work, difficulty in getting along with your spouse, or even frustration in getting your children to mind, will never be excuses for mistreating those whom God has placed in your care. He is not happy with the woman who pinned the note on her son, shipping him back to Russia. But He takes your actions with and in front of your kids just as seriously. They are learning from your example. And the atmosphere you create in your home, good or bad, will stay with them the rest of their lives.
Take your parenting responsibility seriously and be the mom or dad God calls you to be!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
"Little Annie" Locked in a Dungeon
A number of years ago, in a mental institution just outside Boston, Mass., a young girl known as “Little Annie” was locked in the dungeon. This institution was one of the more enlightened ones for the treatment of the mentally disturbed. However, the doctors felt that a dungeon was the only place for those who were “hopelessly” insane. In Little Annie’s case, they saw no hope for her, so she was confined to a living death in that small cage which received little light and even less hope.
About that time, an elderly nurse in the institution was nearing retirement. She felt there was hope for all of God’s creatures, so she started taking her lunch into the dungeon and eating outside Little Annie’s cage. She felt perhaps she could communicate some love and hope to the little girl.
In many ways, Little Annie was like an animal. On occasions, she would violently attack the person who came into her cage. At other times, she would completely ignore them.
When the elderly nurse started visiting her, Little Annie gave no indication that she was even aware of her presence. One day, the elderly nurse brought some brownies to the dungeon and left them outside the cage. Little Annie gave no hint she knew they were there, but when the nurse returned the next day, the brownies were gone. From that time on, the nurse would bring brownies when she made her Thursday visit. Soon, the doctors in the institution noticed a change was taking place. After a period of time, they decided to move Little Annie upstairs. Finally, the day came when this “hopeless case” was told she could return home. But Little Annie did not wish to leave. The place had meant so much to her she felt she could make a contribution if she stayed and worked with the other patients. The elderly nurse had seen and brought out so much in her life that Little Annie felt she could see and help develop something in others.
Many years later, Queen Victoria of England, while pinning England’s highest award on a foreigner, asked Helen Keller, “How do you account for your remarkable accomplishments in life? How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?” Without a moment’s hesitation, Helen Keller said that had it not been for Anne Sullivan (Little Annie), the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown.
It’s not too well known, but Helen Keller was a normal, healthy baby before some mysterious disease left her almost helpless and hopeless. Anne Sullivan saw Helen Keller as one of God’s very special people – treated her as she saw her – loved her – disciplined her – played, prayed, pushed and worked with her until the flickering candle that was her life became a beacon that helped light the pathways and lighten the burdens of people all over the world. Yes, Helen Keller influenced millions after her own life was touched by “Little Annie!”
Dark times make our circumstances very difficult to decipher; and sometimes its best not to even try to understand the “why’s” of our difficulties. But God’s Word promises that good will come from our trials if we truly love Him and are living according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). Give that trial to the Lord. As tough as it may seem, it probably does not compare to the suffering of little Anne Sullivan – and look how God impacted the world through her victory! You can endure. And when it is all said and done, it will make sense.
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
About that time, an elderly nurse in the institution was nearing retirement. She felt there was hope for all of God’s creatures, so she started taking her lunch into the dungeon and eating outside Little Annie’s cage. She felt perhaps she could communicate some love and hope to the little girl.
In many ways, Little Annie was like an animal. On occasions, she would violently attack the person who came into her cage. At other times, she would completely ignore them.
When the elderly nurse started visiting her, Little Annie gave no indication that she was even aware of her presence. One day, the elderly nurse brought some brownies to the dungeon and left them outside the cage. Little Annie gave no hint she knew they were there, but when the nurse returned the next day, the brownies were gone. From that time on, the nurse would bring brownies when she made her Thursday visit. Soon, the doctors in the institution noticed a change was taking place. After a period of time, they decided to move Little Annie upstairs. Finally, the day came when this “hopeless case” was told she could return home. But Little Annie did not wish to leave. The place had meant so much to her she felt she could make a contribution if she stayed and worked with the other patients. The elderly nurse had seen and brought out so much in her life that Little Annie felt she could see and help develop something in others.
Many years later, Queen Victoria of England, while pinning England’s highest award on a foreigner, asked Helen Keller, “How do you account for your remarkable accomplishments in life? How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?” Without a moment’s hesitation, Helen Keller said that had it not been for Anne Sullivan (Little Annie), the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown.
It’s not too well known, but Helen Keller was a normal, healthy baby before some mysterious disease left her almost helpless and hopeless. Anne Sullivan saw Helen Keller as one of God’s very special people – treated her as she saw her – loved her – disciplined her – played, prayed, pushed and worked with her until the flickering candle that was her life became a beacon that helped light the pathways and lighten the burdens of people all over the world. Yes, Helen Keller influenced millions after her own life was touched by “Little Annie!”
Dark times make our circumstances very difficult to decipher; and sometimes its best not to even try to understand the “why’s” of our difficulties. But God’s Word promises that good will come from our trials if we truly love Him and are living according to His purposes (Romans 8:28). Give that trial to the Lord. As tough as it may seem, it probably does not compare to the suffering of little Anne Sullivan – and look how God impacted the world through her victory! You can endure. And when it is all said and done, it will make sense.
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
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