By: Ginger Hughes
Dear Young Ones,
I know you’re scared.
I know you’re scared because you’ve been pulled away from your mom or dad, grandmother or grandfather, tears flowing from their eyes, a look of terror on their faces.
I know you’re scared because people are saying words, so many words, that you may not understand.
I know you’re scared because you’re wondering when your mom will hug you again and when your dad will tickle you again, and no one has any answers.
I know you’re scared because you’ve been pulled away from all you know and have been pushed into a world where you know no one.
Young one, I can only imagine how scared you are. And I’m so sorry.
I saw your picture on the news last night, a look of utter fear and desperation in your eyes, and I wanted to take it away from you. I wanted to make it better because I’m a mama too. Because as a mama, I want to protect not only “my” children, but all of “our” children.
You should know, I’m scared too.
I’m scared of what we are doing as a nation and who we may be becoming as a collective whole. I’m scared that somewhere along the way, we’ve lost ourselves to politics and agendas, to blame and greed, to left and right.
For you see child, as a country, when we forsake the young ones no matter their country of origin, we have indeed lost our way. If we use you, a child, as a bargaining chip for political ends, we are in the wrong.
As adults, we don’t always get it right. Sometimes we mess up out of fear. Sometimes, sadly, we mess up out of pride and stubbornness.
Children, you should know that free-thinking, the ability to disagree, and the encouragement to develop new ideas, is of great value to a country. Differing opinions and discussions are essential. But young ones, there should never be any disagreement when it comes to protecting a child. People in this country or anywhere on God’s earth, should all be in agreement that your protection and well-being, both physical and emotional, is paramount.
I heard some people quoting scripture from the Bible to support what is happening to you and your family. I’m no biblical scholar, but I am a follower of Jesus, and I want you to know what Jesus says about you.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus was speaking to a group of people, and some children wanted to come to Him. His disciples rebuked them and tried to keep the children away, but Jesus wouldn’t have it. He said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
In another instance in the book of Luke, Jesus calls a child to Him and sets him there amongst Himself and His disciples. Jesus says to His disciples, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you will be great.”
Dear child, I want you to know that God loves you. Jesus loves you. You are precious in His sight. Right now you are being treated as less-than, but you are not less-than. You are a child of God, fiercely loved by Him.
I don’t pretend to hold the answers or know the way forward politically. But I do know that I will continue to educate myself on ways to help you. I will continue to use my voice to stand up for you because you are only a child being thrown into a grown-up world of turmoil and chaos.
And so dear child, I ask that you hold on. Hold onto hope. Hold onto the promise that Jesus is always looking for the ones left behind. Hold on to the knowledge that God is always on the side of the brokenhearted.
Hold on…
Because while I am only one voice, I am not the only voice. There are many others joining together on your behalf, calling out to our leaders reminding them that whoever wants to be great among us, must humble himself or herself, and become just like you…a child.
-Ginger Hughes is the wife of a pastor, a mother of two and an accountant. She is a Georgia native currently living in the foothills of North Carolina. Her passion for writing is fueled by the desire to offer encouragement, grace and a deeper understanding that we are all God’s children. Her blogging for Nurturing Faith is sponsored by a gift from First Baptist Church of Gainesville, Ga. Additional writings may be found at nomamasperfect.com.
