WOULD ANYONE NOTICE?

How would you finish the sentence: Would anyone notice _____________ ? The possibilities are endless. Would anyone notice---

• my hair is now gray?
• I studied hard for this exam?
• I wasn't in church last Sunday?
• supper took a lot of work to prepare?
• I worked extra hours so we could go on vacation?
• if this blog was not written?

Those are all normal things we wonder. We all want the validation that what we do, how we look and how we act are noticed. Not necessarily in a "prideful" way. We just need to know that someone cares about our lives.

I volunteer for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and the children I represent might have entirely different ways to finish the sentence. Would anyone notice --

• the bruises on my back?
• I am hungry because I did not eat breakfast?
• my parents cannot take care of me?
• me at all?

Being a CASA volunteer is not easy and it is not fun. We work for the best interest of the child and encourage parents as they work to learn parenting skills. We celebrate when children and parents are reunited. Smiles and hugs overflow when a family once again becomes whole and strong. We shed tears when a child learns they will not be going home and we pray a new family will form through adoption.

Would anyone notice if I was not a CASA volunteer? Yes, the children I am appointed to represent would notice, because without a CASA or, in some areas, a Guardian Ad Litem the child has no voice. The child has no one to stand up for them. The child has many people looking out for them - government agencies and service providers - but the CASA looks at the whole picture and speaks for the child.

Would anyone notice if there are more children than there are CASA volunteers?

The answer is YES. Sadly, there are children waiting in almost every county in the United States for a CASA volunteer. These children have government agencies and service providers looking out for them BUT they do not have someone who will represent them and say, "Judge, it is in the best interest of the child that…"

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 9:37-38

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

AND NOW

Workers are needed!

LET US

Lord of the harvest, send workers into the lives of these children. Amen