Hello mi neighbour | Time to buckle down and pray for the children

Hello mi neighbour! I am sitting here at Devon House enjoying the cool salubrious afternoon breeze. I am enjoying my favourite pastime: watching people go by! Some are coming from the shop around the corner, and some are heading for their favourite delicacy – ice cream. Clearly, some don’t seem to mind obesity as long as they are indulging in whatever makes them happy. For some it’s there ‘happiness gel’. Ever really watched an ice cream lover eat ice cream? Lol.

And look at these schoolchildren (in their uniforms) having fun in the sun! Such a beautiful sight! So resplendent and bright! Which of them will be a doctor, a lawyer, a garbage or tax collector? No one knows for sure. How many of them will be granted an opportunity to live their dreams. Whose life will be snuffed out before they reach puberty? My, my, me! Feel like praying for them: Help them dear Lord to enjoy their childhood, no abuse from evildoers who have attained adulthood.

Let me capture this beautiful picture on my phone! Oh for the multiplicity of utilities of the cell phone!

Now, here come three strangers to sit next to me: Hi, how are you? Can see that you’re enjoying your ice cream. “Oh sure.” They are sounding like returning residents ... accent giving them away. Protect them, dear Lord.

Now they want us to take pictures together ... how friendly. Conversation ended and they left, having exchanged telephone contacts, etc.

Now back to these children ... oh they are gone ... may never see them again. But they are etched on my mind. Gonna target them with prayer. This is Child Month.

I pray that no evil will befall them, that no plague will come nigh their dwelling, that if “a thousand evil persons should fall at their side…, no harm will come to them”. I pray that they will not be abused or become abusers or losers. May these children, who are still resting on my mind, rest well tonight and that they will know no lack. May they never grow hungry or ever become malnourished. Above all, I pray that “goodness and mercy will follow them all the days of their lives and they will dwell in house of the Lord forever”. Amen.

Now it’s your turn to pray for children. Those in your home, those in your community, those playing next door, those that I am hearing in the distance and those who are distant!

So, what do you think would happen if more prayers were going up for our children? More peace, joy and happiness? What do you say, adults? time to buckle down.

Do we love our children and really desire to see them live and do well during their earthly journey? (Yes, there’s another life after this one). Those who desire good for all children have a duty to care for all children, known and unknown.

We must act now! Pray for them now! They could prey on us later even as they do on one another today.

Over the past 17 months or so, nearly four dozen of our children perished violently in Jamaica! Unnu hear that people! Where are those who will fight for our children? If we don’t fight for them, they will continue to fight one another to the death. Children know nothing about self-control. They don’t seem to know “when to walk away, or when to run”. And how can they walk away when those who are hungry for barbaric/bloody entertainment are cheering them on? Dilemma on stage? Mercy, Father!!

SO

As we celebrate Child Month, let’s remember that every hug, every kind word, and every chance we give them sets the stage for a brighter tomorrow.

With love, guidance, and steady support, we help them dream, vision, explore, and be their best selves. Let’s treasure and safeguard our children, knowing they hold the key to the future.

Every parent is commanded to “train up a child in the way he should go…” Please, parents! Please!

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636 or deposit in acct #351 044 276 NCB. Alternatively, send donations to Hello Neighbour C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10; Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.