No Refunds and No Returns

     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!

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Oil Slick

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"Little Annie" Locked in a Dungeon