Why Kids?

Obviously, God has allowed me to be burdened by a few things lately and I've yet to understand why.

Everyday, my thoughts have been consumed by children. No, not having children, but the well being of children.

I've said before, the news here is tough. There is much more violence, drugs and death reported on our local news. Each week, there's a new story or two about children being killed or injured. News of late includes teenage sisters being shot in a fury of bullets, killed by their brother. A grandmother who overdosed on heroin and drowned her grandson. A dad cutting his child's nose off. A little boy losing a six month battle with a brain cancer. That comes after a full summer of children being shot, car accidents, domestic violence where children were killed and so many more.

Now, it's in the national news. An intoxicated/mentally ill person drove into a crowd at a homecoming parade in Oklahoma. One child was killed and 1/4 of the 47 injured were under 12. Kids go to parades for fun and candy. They never expect to be run over.

Likewise with all of the instances I listed. Kids are supposed to be happy and carefree. They aren't supposed to live in fear of guns, cars, brothers, parents and grandparents.

The burden is even more local. We live in an area with a lot of poverty. It's an area where there are a lot of kids who don't eat three meals a day. I only know because I've witnessed it, but there is abuse and neglect more visible than what we are used to seeing.

I can't stop thinking about these things. My heart won't stop breaking.

There's no way to save them all. In fact, I'm not even sure what can be done. Of course I can pray. I know quite intimately what it's like to not be fed, be abused or neglected. I survived and I want others to have a fighting chance to do the same.