A Child is lost. Is it your child?
The child has not been abducted neither has he taken the wrong path in the woods. The child does not need a search party with flashlights and torches to go in search of him. The child is lost because his father was too busy doing stuff to listen to his questions, too busy to play with him, and too busy to see him grow up. Daddy has provided more material things than his child really needs. He has all the brand-named gears and clothing, all the accoutrements that he does not really care for. He has money to share with his friends and the bullies who make his life hell at school and in the community. The boy wants daddy to teach him how to play basketball or cricket but daddy is too busy following the games on the television. The boy's friends are involved in questionable activities and he wants daddy to direct him, but daddy is too busy watching Netflix or discussing politics or sports with his friends. Baffled, confused, and perplexed, he goes to daddy for help, for direction, for advice. When he approaches him, daddy tells him, "Not now, Junior, I am watching the news. I am doing this or that. I am too busy now. Go, let mammy help you."
"Mammy cannot help me, daddy. I need you."
"Well, I am busy right now. Why not go out and play with your friends?" The same friends the child is trying to avoid.
"Well, if daddy is too busy to care. It must be alright to go along with my friends." That is when the boy gets truly lost. That child had everything that he needed as far as material things are concerned but daddy lost him when all he needed a healthy relationship, a couple minutes of daddy's time.
What about the mother, you might ask? Mammy lost the child as well. She was too busy with her social events. Too busy with her church affairs because she believes she can fix everything and everybody. She is on the church board, leader of the praise team, head of the social committee, chairperson of the PTA, president of the Jack and Jill Club, Mammy is hardly ever home. She has left the child with the babysitter and the television and his many gadgets.
You might say that the child had all that he needed to keep him occupied but do you know what happens to that child behind closed doors? He has his own phone, behind closed doors. He has his assortment of tablets behind closed doors. He is in a world of his/her own behind closed doors. Do you, mother /father know what takes place behind closed doors in your own home? Do you know who your son or daughter's friends are? Have you met them? Do you know where they live? Have you sincerely met their parents?
Your child may have all he needs to keep him occupied, so why are you surprised that he is lost? Your child should be happy, right? He should be thankful because he has more than he needs, right? The fridge and pantry are always full, so he cannot be hungry, right?
With all that this child of yours has, he is still lost. Children are easily swayed by their peers and by society as a whole. If we do not give them the attention they need and even crave, they will be lost. Find your child, mammy, and daddy, and develop a relationship with him or her. Children do not necessarily need all the stuff we give them. They need us. Be actively present in your child's life. With a positive, healthy relationship, your child will understand why he or she does not have all that the other boys and girls have, and he and she will be satisfied with who he or she is and what he or she stands for.