I’ve read surveys that indicate more than 90% of children entering school have positive self-esteems, and that less than 10% of graduating seniors have one. What happens to them? What are we doing to our young people that causes them to feel so worthless that they want to take their own lives? What about the ones that want to take their own lives, and take others with them? What causes them to fall into sexual immorality at the drop of a hat, or to get involved in alcohol or drugs after a thousand warnings? Everything I’ve ever read about young people’s motivations leads me to the same conclusion. They do what they do because they want to be loved. They want to be accepted by somebody, even if they have to lay down everything they’ve ever believed was right to get it. What have we done to them? As a nation, we’ve failed to love them…. to let them know the very hairs of their head are numbered by the One who spoke them into existence. Once they get into the school years and gain some self-sufficiency–once they loose that “oh, so innocent” face, many of us get caught up in our lives and forget all about them. We’ve turned our backs on the duties given us by the Father, and we’ve failed our children in the process. For Heaven’s sake, and for theirs, grab someone today and tell them you love them… no matter where they’ve been or what they’ve done. Isn’t that what Christ did for us?
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 10:29-31)