NEVER ALONE

(CASA – COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE – The voice of the child)

Naomi Haines Griffith was the keynote speaker at the 2011 CASA State Conference. What a speaker! First of all, she is from the south and I absolutely love her accent. Second, she sure could make you laugh and then immediately hit you with a zinger.

One minute we would be laughing as she described the real way to cook green beans and her dead family members. She said she grew up thinking all families were just like hers.

Just like hers until – Until she realized no child is ever alone. Every child has their family with them; it is just that we cannot see them. Every child grows up thinking the world is like their family -- Kind/Cruel, Chaos/Calm, Loving/Distant -- and to understand the child we have to understand the family.

This is a lesson I am learning as I work with children and families. Sometimes it is hard to understand why they just don’t get it. (Look at the family.) Sometimes, I wonder if they will ever get it. (Look at the family.) Sometimes,

Sometimes – No, always, I have to look below the surface and ignore the obvious. Always I have to realize they are a part of a unique family – their family – and that is how children see the world. Always I have to ask, “Tell me about your family.” Then I have to listen with my ears, my eyes and my heart.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you remember being asked, “Whose child are you?” Were you proud to answer? Did you answer with your head held high? Or did you look to the ground and quietly give your answer? Knowing you were going to be judged unkindly.

Do you judge the way others live against the way you live? (And the answer to the last question is yes. We all do that.)

NEVER ALONE

Just as no child is ever alone because they carry their family with them, you are never alone. Our earthly families may be a long way from perfect but when asked the question, “Whose child are you?” you do not need to hang your head. You can proudly hold your head high and proclaim to the world:

SCRIPTURES:

I AM A CHILD OF GOD (How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1)

AND MY FATHER IS ALWAYS WITH ME. (“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 and Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ….. even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:8-10)

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Today Lord I lift up all your hurting children, no matter their age. Some children come from families that are hard to understand and some families do not treat their children the way they should. Today Lord I lift up all your hurting children. Surround them with your arms and give them comfort. Today Lord I lift up all your hurting children. Send into their lives someone who will listen with their ears, eyes and heart. Today Lord I lift up all your hurting children. Amen