Most of us have heard the expression 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'. Yet we often fail to take preventative measures in areas such as dental and physical health. And, while we know ignoring minor car problems can lead to big problems later, we have all heard stories of people who failed to put oil in their car and as a result blew the engine.
Why don't we understand that the same holds true in the area of ministry? Why does there seem to be a huge disconnect in the church, when it comes to understanding their responsibility to the widow and the fatherless?
Churches that understand the Biblical command given by God seem to focus most of their efforts outside the U.S. And while there is nothing wrong with ministry to other nations, we need to understand the great need that exists right here.
And, our focus should begin right here in the United States. We need to understand, if we don't begin to help those at home... Well, let me be frank, the potential consequences include; reduced social security revenues, additional tax revenues required to build more juvenile detention facilities and prisons, etc.
The church has made progress in helping women and children in; shelters, the foster care system, the area of adoption and even in ministry to children who have a parent in prison, but not much progress when it comes to helping the single mother or her children before they end up; homeless, enter the foster care system, juvenile detention facility, etc.
With the growing numbers of single mothers and fatherless children, isn't it time for some preventative maintenance?
As a child who was in the foster care system, as well as one of the last state run orphanages in the U.S., I can tell you that there was only one place I wanted to be, and that was with my mother. And no one wanted to help us... until we were in the system.
The question that was often on my mind as a child, and the one that millions of children who are being raised by single mothers are asking of you today is; why didn't you come sooner?
Comments