Parents and Honor
The Bible tells us to honor our mother and father and it is certainly correct for us to do so. That is, however, a two-way street. Parents should show honor and respect for their children also. I know that most of them do, but the current economic crisis has revealed the dark side of another type of parent — parents who abandon their children. Not just newborns and infants, but children of all ages are being abandoned, legally in some cases, because the parents say they cannot afford to take care of them so they abandon them to fend for themselves.
I find that hard to believe. Do any of those parents own a television? A cell phone? Real jewelry? I bet many do. Most of us have things we can sell or pawn to get money. If parents decide they would rather give up their children then their things, they are in a very sad state.
When I was growing up, my family went through some difficult times. Particularly, the New England floods of 1953. Many people, including my father, were out of work for months because the factories or offices they worked in were damaged or destroyed. There were times when we only ate one meal a day. Forget the latest designer clothes, we were lucky to get two new pairs of pants to start the new school year with. Yet, no matter how bad it got, neither of my parents ever even thought of abandoning any of us. And when their wasn't enough to go around, it was my mother and father who went without. My parents weren't perfect, but they would never have considered giving away or abandoning their children.
As for those children who are being abandoned, who do you think will be taking care of them? Most will stay in orphanages at tax-payer expense. And what will those children grow up to be like, knowing that their parents disposed of them as an unnecessary expense they decided they could do without? Do you think they will grow up to be warm, loving people? Perhaps, but not likely.
I would say that parents who do this are in danger of loosing their immortal soul, but I thing anyone who would abandon their children already has.
I find that hard to believe. Do any of those parents own a television? A cell phone? Real jewelry? I bet many do. Most of us have things we can sell or pawn to get money. If parents decide they would rather give up their children then their things, they are in a very sad state.
When I was growing up, my family went through some difficult times. Particularly, the New England floods of 1953. Many people, including my father, were out of work for months because the factories or offices they worked in were damaged or destroyed. There were times when we only ate one meal a day. Forget the latest designer clothes, we were lucky to get two new pairs of pants to start the new school year with. Yet, no matter how bad it got, neither of my parents ever even thought of abandoning any of us. And when their wasn't enough to go around, it was my mother and father who went without. My parents weren't perfect, but they would never have considered giving away or abandoning their children.
As for those children who are being abandoned, who do you think will be taking care of them? Most will stay in orphanages at tax-payer expense. And what will those children grow up to be like, knowing that their parents disposed of them as an unnecessary expense they decided they could do without? Do you think they will grow up to be warm, loving people? Perhaps, but not likely.
I would say that parents who do this are in danger of loosing their immortal soul, but I thing anyone who would abandon their children already has.
Wow, that brought tears to my eyes. Abandoning your children is something I can't even comprehend. I have one son who is now fully adult but through his life I went through many hard times. No matter what I went through it was my child that gave me the strength to deal with anything that came our way. Having him gave my life purpose, providing for him and caring for him gave me a reason to do everything. I went without often, he never did.No matter what I found a way, he always came first and always will no matter what age he is. I would gladly lay down my life for my child. The thought of abandoning my child is just the worst thought ever. Those poor children!
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It seems that people today don't feel any moral responsibility in their lives. As you said, years ago, people did whatever they had to do to take care of their families. But, today, when times get tough, they abandon their children or animals and just walk away leaving someone else to take care of the products of their lives. People have become so selfish and self-centered they refuse to sacrifice their own needs to take care of their responsibilities. People seem to be living for themselves alone with no regard for anyone or anything but themself. If we could use these next two quotes to live our lives by, this world would be a much better place; "The reason we are all here is to do whatever we can to help this planet and it's inhabitants in any way we can to grow and survive." (Albert Einstein). And; "Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, Man, himself, will not find peace".( Albert Schweitzer.)We all need to understand; It is not about me as a single person, it is about us as a whole.
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I do think it is very often an ego thing. Some parents of today are more interested in their own comfort than in caring for their children. Thankfully, it does seem to be a minority.
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