Kid Connections

News ...

I've lots to blog about ... the National Children's Assembly (which was brilliant!!!), issues in children's ministry, and issues in the world that affect children, but I'm so disgusted by the tragic news of the brutal abuse and death of a 17 month old baby boy that I can't quite focus on anything else just now.  My hubby had to put his dinner in the bin after reading the article as he was so upset about it.  It is not just disgusting but quite frankly a total atrossity that this could happen in the UK today.  I find it difficult to feel any kind of compassion for the perpetrators and could quite easily argue a case for the death penalty for folk who commit such horrific crimes towards children.  Thankfully, God will be their judge and jury.

Anyway - I'll blog about some cheerier stuff in a day or so ...

When creation plays God...

I was disappointed that there was no change to the abortion law yesterday.  There are many view points within the debate on what is or isn't right.  One point, from the 'keep to 24 weeks' camp is the following (see more here): 

"Studies, including one published in the British Medical Journal this month, show that while survival rates have increased significantly for babies born at 24 and 25 weeks, they have not risen for babies born 23 weeks or less. Very few terminations take place at this stage of pregnancy, but those in favour of keeping the limit as it is say that it is often the 20 week scan which reveals severe abnormalities."

How sad it is that the new life that has grown to 20 weeks inside a mother's womb seems to been viewed by some to have such insignificant value that it can be destroyed and disposed of like unwanted waste because 'abnormalities' might be apparent?  We all have some kind of abnormality!!  Whilst some babies might have no chance of survival or a 'limited' quality of life (and I say limited based on how others measure quality of life), what about the existing relationships and bonds that have already developed between the child and mother??  How much can we trust the opinions of  medics based on data from machines?

At 6 and a half weeks into my 3rd pregnancy I had a bleed and was told, after a scan, that there seemed to be no development of the baby.  I went back for a second scan a week later and the result was the same.  After a 3rd scan after another week, I was told that the pregnancy wasn't continuing and was advised to have a D&C to remove the 'empty' pregnancy sac.  I was devastated as this wasn't a planned pregnancy and we felt truly blessed to be having another baby.  I declined the op, for fear that they might be wrong!  That night, a friend turned up at our house with a word from the Lord and told us to believe in faith for our unborn child.  We thought that either he was off his head or that had really had heard from God.  My husband felt that it was a message from God and so we waited in faith, as I continued to be very sick.  We had many phone calls from well meaning medical staff in the weeks that followed asking how I was and if I had miscarried yet!?!  Hubby thanked them for their concern but told them our faith was in God.  They must have thought we were mad!  At 12 weeks, and having not actually miscarried, my doctor asked me to go back for another scan as I was still being violently sick and was dangerously dehydrated.  A wonderful Christian midwife was there to greet us and she did the scan.  My husband and mum were with me an we all watched the monitor as the mindwife took great delight in pointing our how our 12 week old baby was developing well!!  Doctors were very confused ...!!! 

At 22 weeks into my pregnancy with our beautiful son (who is 9 months today!), we had a scan to see how the baby was growing (as I was being monitored for gestational diabetes).  We were told that 2 problems had been identified that indicated that there could be something, possibly terminal, wrong with our baby.  We were advised to have an amnio test (which carries a small chance of miscarriage) but declined.  The consultant stressed that the condition of our baby could be severe, and we were asked again to think about having the test.  It seemed as though we were talking in tongues or something as we were saying that regardless of what might be wrong with our baby we weren't prepared to take the chance of miscarriage!  Being told there was something wrong wouldn't have made us terminate so it was absolutely pointless in finding out earlier if there was something wrong!  We left the room and as we walked along the corridor my husband looked at me and said, "There's nothing wrong, I know there's nothing wrong and these people are deceived".  As the weeks went on in my pregnancy it became obvious from further scans at 28 and 32 weeks that whatever the problems had been they had seemed to have gone!  Our son was born absolutely perfect!

Praise God for His goodness!!!

Child Politics

Some interesting news about children in the political arena at the moment:

Vulnerable children at risk of poor health and under-achievement will be targeted as early as conception in an attempt to reverse their low life chance, it was announced yesterday.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/education/Parents-targeted-to-boost-children39s.3891257.jp

About 1,000 children as young as 10 will be identified as at risk of becoming criminals and subject to intensive one-to-one mentoring and training, under plans unveiled yesterday.
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,2266449,00.html

At the end of the year ...

In the business of the day, I have escaped for a while as hubby looks after the 3 young ones!  I'm looking forward to a long soak in the bath with lots of the Christmas gifts I received - bubble bath, bath spa, scented candles and lots of Turkish delight!  But I thought I might just reflect for a while on the year gone. 

It's been an odd year.  The arrival of our beautiful son was most definitely the highlight of the year yet the memories of a most unexpected surgical delivery marred the experience (after the boy turned, deciding that he would like to come out 'foot' first, which was only spotted by the midwife when I was at the stage of delivering him ... and that was only after what seemed to be 20 minutes of contractions and took the midwife by surprise - it was my 5th so I knew I'd deliver quickly but that was fast!!).  Delighting in our new bundle of joy reminded me of how precious our children are and also of those babies that never were for us, entrusted to the care of the Lord, so it was joy tinged with sadness too.  He is the most charming we boy and I am so amazed by him.  I was chatting to my friend about the love we have for our kids and she said it's not a case of spreading the love more, we actually have more love to give.  I think she speaks the words of a very wise woman!

Being on maternity leave has meant that all my time has been spent with the children, which has just been so special.  Life doesn't get much better than this ... I wish I was young enough to have another 5 but, alas, I suspect that I am probably at the 'use by date' stage of life and unfortunately time doesn't stand still!  It has also meant that I notice (and get extremely hacked off with) everything in the house that needs cleaned, mended, changed, decorated ... etc!  I hate a messy house and try to have it tidy enough for me to enjoy, as well as those who visit.  Hospitality is very important to me and I like the family and anyone who visits to feel very much at home.  After recovering from surgery I was able to do lots of cooking, which I enjoy, with lots of family meals most nights and Christmas has been a never-ending cooking season!  I have only myself to blame for all those extra calories so I will begin 2008 with the usual goal of loosing weight and getting fitter.  I think the whole family have been more conscious about having a healthy diet this year.  I had to watch my diet when I was pregnant to control pregnancy diabetes.  Investing in some new bikes and a double trail-buggy (for the young ones) in the summer was a good kick start to improving fitness too so I hope we will get lots of use out of them when the weather is better.

I've missed not using my brain as much this year and although I have done some writing (for a book I'm working on) I feel a bit brain dead.  My husband bought me 2 brain train games for the Nintendo DS for Christmas so I've been enjoying those.  We decided to get Sky TV after I had the baby as we knew I'd be a bit house bound for a bit and don't do idleness well!  However, I did become very comfortable being a 'couch potato' for a while, overindulging in the comedy and film channels, so perhaps a habit to kick as the new year begins.

Ministry wise - I'm looking forward to the launch of the new Children's Ministry Network at the first conference in Perth on the 26th January at Lethem St Mark's Church, and to the development of the network as a new resource and source of support for children's workers - much more support for workers is required and there are a number of denominations behind this new venture.  I have been reflecting too on models of ministry and what is, and isn't, working with today's children, particularly here in Scotland.  I suppose old habits die hard and although I am very aware of lots of effort that goes in to work with children in our churches I feel we are not serving our children or children's workers well by allowing investment (in time, money and effort) in poor practises and methods that are not well thought out.  Sometimes it's the blind leading the blind because no one will step up and help.  Leaders and workers burn out because they feel they need to dream up newer and better ideas for the most creative experiences that children can have.  Or they feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of not only teaching scripture but having to do it in a super cool or elaborate way.  We need to speak 'release' to those who feel burdened or isolated in their role before they burn out or bail out!!  The most important thing we can give children is ourselves!!!  Turning up with a pure heart and a desire to accept them as they are and to share of our relationship with the Lord is the most effective resource we will ever have.  That will never change!  We can only introduce someone to the person of Jesus at the level we know him ourselves.  Our relationship with Him should never come second to the 'work' we do for Him, for the work is only of any use when it pours from a selfless heart of worship in adoration for the Lord, as we try to be all that we can be for Him wherever He has called us.

Children are a blessing beyond words and God esteems them with great honour.  Please take time to pray for the children you know and those you don't know - particularly those who are experiencing hurt, fear, poverty and illness - intercede for them, those who minister to them and those who have the power to change their lives for the better. 

I give thanks for those who touch my live - my family and my friends whom I love and admire in so many ways.  I know I am truly blessed and I am so grateful for the amazing things the Lord has done for me. 

May you know God's richest blessings, joy and peace in the year to come, and the care and love of Him who gave Himself for us.