5-8-23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnly the names have been changed to protect the innocent,\u201d ran the opening line of a crime series in the early days of black-and-white TV. In the stories here, names are neither given nor relevant, but the situations are sadly too common in contemporary life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They concern parents who are among my most precious friends; and precious children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the case of the first family, a family of strong Christian faith who show joy to the world about them and are upright in every way. One son had hidden demons, so to speak \u2013 episodes of emotional struggles and bouts of what the world calls mental health crises \u2013 and were that, indeed. Spiritual crises, too, but only episodes, because most of the time he was happy; a good friend and brother and son; strong in faith. But there were threats of suicide, and then prayer, therapy, meds, counseling. Then, evidently, victory. Then\u2026 suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No more to be said, here anyway. Unimaginable grief, unending questions. Precious memories remain of the good times, of the good kid; for he was. Suicides are not new in humankind\u2019s history\u2026 but why are they so common today? And among teens? And in a \u201ccomfortable\u201d society, in happy homes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the other family, a son born with a proverbial silver spoon has periodically turned to drugs. The family is of conventional Christian background, and no social situation \u2013 other than the contemporary pattern of drug use so common \u2013 suggested that addiction was a prediction. Yet each episode was part of a vortex of more serious self-harm\u2026 then absences\u2026 and then bare escapes from disasters. Check-ins to programs and farms were accepted by the son every time\u2026 until he invariably checked out or went AWOL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this situation, currently, the parents are in a frenzy because the son has disappeared, evidently homeless and desperate, but by occasional accounts more addicted then ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In both of these cases, by some inner strength and faith, the moms neither gave up hope for their sons, nor faith in the One who can deliver\u2026 even amid the storms, even when the world screams, \u201cDefeat!!!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this moment in history, in this rotting structure of a once-solid Christian society, I could be writing about other families, other children, other parents\u2019 grief. Don\u2019t we all know friends, relatives, neighbors with similar situations? Or\u2026 our own households?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The world grows crazier by the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the world<\/em>\u2019s answer to the challenges of children who doubt is… to add more doubt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The world<\/em>\u2019s answer to fear is… to provide more fear, to focus children\u2019s attention on hopelessness and futility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The world<\/em>\u2019s answer to craziness is to introduce more craziness: lies about gender, about patriotism, about tradition, about loyalty, about life, about faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of peoples\u2019 problems in life are caused by their own sins. But many of today\u2019s problems, I believe like those mentioned here, are the result of society\u2019s evils visited upon vulnerable children \u2013 lies we are told; lies they believe; lies dressed up as truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mental illness is real. Addiction is real. Does society \u2013 the \u201csystem\u201d \u2013 provide help? Often, no. The culture, too often, is the enabler-in-chief. Music, entertainment, the media, Hollywood, education, even the church, too often provide excuses instead of solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are<\/em> there solutions? If you believe the ills we face are bedrock spiritual crises\u2026 then, logically, the solutions are spiritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shakespeare paraphrased Deuteronomy 32:2 when he wrote,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The quality of mercy is not strained.<\/em> … and I suggest that, as the quality of mercy is not \u201cstrained,\u201d neither are the qualities of love, and anguish, and grief, and a parent\u2019s heartache. Neither a child\u2019s needs, whether recognized, acknowledged, or silently screamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only with God\u2019s help can we end these cycles of horrible choices and frightening situations. They are<\/em> cycles, for these situations described here are not random. This is contemporary America. This is our Post-Christian society. This is the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world \u2013 the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life \u2013 is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever<\/em> (I John 2:15-17).<\/p>\n\n\n\n + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a song written by the grandfather of my friend Daryl Coats about a \u201cwayward\u201d child and a parent\u2019s love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/em>It drops as the gentle rain from heaven<\/em>
<\/em>Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:<\/em>
<\/em>It blesses those who give and those who take…<\/em>
<\/em>It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;<\/em>
<\/em>It is an attribute of God Himself.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n