Genuinely Lloving Kids
Years ago when my boys were young I was accused by them, and their mother, on some occasions of “crushing” their hands because I was holding them so tight whenever we were in “high” places (like the tower at Six Flags in Arlington, or Tower of the Americas in San Antonio). No one was sure if I was more concerned about them or myself. The point was/is kids are not always careful in dangerous situations. Hang on to them!
I just spent five days on some extremely dangerous trails in the Three Sisters Wilderness in Oregon, steep, narrow, and slippery. I was so saddened to read today the following narrative:
(Reuters) – An 8-year-old girl plunged some 550 feet (168 meters) to her death at Yellowstone National Park on Sunday after stepping off a trail overlooking a 1,200-foot (366-m) canyon and losing her footing, a park official said on Monday. The child and her family were hiking a popular path along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – an ancient 20 mile-long (32-km) geologic formation – toward a fenced platform where visitors can observe the park’s tallest waterfall when the accident happened, Yellowstone spokesman Al Nash said.
I have no idea who was watching this child, but someone should have been. Many of those trails are very narrow and slippery. I agonize for her family as I am sure they are second-guessing their role in the accident. I trust they will find comfort in the Savior.
It reminds me of how our children slip through the trials and temptations of life without benefit of the Truth of God’s Word and the support of Godly men and women in their life. I am so grateful to those wonderful people who give themselves to the ministry of AWANA and other organizations that teach the Word of God to children. I thank God continually for men and women who teach children in Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools. No child should have to face the Enemy, who will quickly push them into the abyss of sinfulness, without the help of family and friends who genuinely llove kids, pointing them to the Savior and His Truth. I pray this young lady possessed saving faith in Christ (or that she had not yet come to accountability) and that her family will join her in Heaven one day.