Being a Shining Star in a Dark World

Be a Shining Star in a Dark World

 

As you and your children gear up to go back to school remember something, to be a support for not only your child but your child’s friends. Your child’s friends may not have the best home life. They may be living in a single parent home where their parent may work extra hours to make ends meet. Many children live in a home where both parents work so they may have limited time with their parents. There may be stress or issues in the home where children do not want to be at home because of the tension this creates.

Where may these kids be? Well, they may be your child’s friends, your family member, a classmate, a neighbor. They are all around you. I know you have your own kids to worry about getting to practice and getting homework done. But, what if you became that home where children felt safe and loved. What if your home turned into a place where your children’s friends felt like they could come hang out, eat a snack, do their homework, and they felt like someone cared? What impact do you think that would have?

Well, that single mom would know their child was some place where they were safe and cared for so she wouldn’t be worrying about them while she worked. That working family who are just struggling to get by would know their child is being looked after by a trusted adult.

The child who comes to hang out in your home would feel safe. They would learn to trust other adults even when other adults have let them down many times before. They would have an example of what a “normal” family looked like. They would have friends they could hang out with and play with who were a good influence.  They would have an adult who would listen to them when they have had a bad day. They would feel heard.

I know this is a mighty task as a parent. It does not need to be every day and it doesn’t need to be all evening. I know caring for other children can be stressful and not easy. Maybe you’re a single parent too. So, maybe you work something out with another single parent where you trade days so you can help each other out.

Be a light to the children, teens, and families around you. See what you can do as a parent, a stay at home mom or dad, an aunt or uncle, to make a positive difference in the life of not only a child but their family as well. Be that light shines in a dark world. There are so many negative things happening that wouldn’t it be amazing if as a community could help be stars shining bright in a world of darkness.