Article March 3, 1997 Issue

Supporting the welfare of all young people

Janet Helen Finlayson

"Children are the inheritors of our violent society," said the broadcast of the early evening news. The program talked about murder as a major cause of death among those of school age. It also described in general an aggressive society, where lack of love and of a decent education meant the larger community had failed children. From this perspective, it appears that they can easily become inheritors of violence.

Another point of view as to the source of our own and our children's real inheritance is found in the first line of the Lord's Prayer: "Our Father which art in heaven" (Matt. 6:9). Here God is shown to be the one true Parent of all, not of some select group. Since we are His offspring and God is all good, our whole being must be good. This is our heritage. God, divine Love, would never allow harm or neglect to come upon His offspring. Love gives to each of its creations, not danger or fear, but joy, warmth, and harmony.

A friend told me of a tender incident involving a parent and child on a train. Sitting opposite my friend was a father and his small daughter. The little girl had been looking at her reflection in the window when she suddenly turned to him and piped up in a small, but very clear voice, "Daddy, I love you." Daddy smiled at the child. That is just how direct we can be with our Father-Mother God. We can say "I love You" and feel His love for us.

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Supporting the welfare of all young people

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