Keep on loving the children

Last week I attended a retreat for the Board of Trustees for our Holston Conference United Methodist Children's Home. I have never been associated with an institution related to any conference whose core values are so fully aligned with those of the church. Art Masker and his staff unapologetically promote the Christian faith through their many social services. They are magnificently fulfilling the conference's mission to care for the most vulnerable among us.

A single mother of three spoke to us at the retreat. She told of her inability to parent appropriately and financially support her children. Social services removed her children from her.

But that was only the beginning. The Holston Home staff got involved in matching the children with caring foster parents. They gave love and security to the girl and two boys. They set needed boundaries. Additionally, the foster parents joined with Holston Home personnel in teaching parenting skills to the mother and helping her find financial stability.

Last week that once frayed and frantic mother was present with her children who have been returned to her. Over and again she expressed gratitude for the compassion, guidance and support of our Holston Home staff.

Following lunch I spoke with her 13-year-old son Kelly. I told him how thankful I was for the love extended to him and how thrilled I was that he had been reunited with his mother.

As he held my hand, big tears welled up in his eyes and he said, "Just keep on loving the children."

He didn't ask a thing for himself. He simply wanted us through Holston Home to do for others as it had done for him. He understood better than I how urgently and desperately other boys and girls need us to love them. He was not talking about a sentimental or sympathetic love. He was speaking of concrete acts of mercy.

I felt as if Jesus spoke to me through that boy – "Keep on loving the children." We had spent two days seeking ways to cut the budget for lack of funds. Kelly's words were a fresh call to me to sacrifice for those children who suffer abuse, neglect and violence. Pious words can't cut it. They need our dollars.

For 12 years I lived on a foreign "mission field." The needs there are overwhelming, too. But right now, right here, in the bounds of our conference are children at risk of being emotionally scarred for life.

Charles Hutchins, Holston Home director of development, has a dream of building a million-dollar home called the House of Hope for the most troubled children. It will be a place where the terribly traumatized can find a secure shelter while they are tested and evaluated prior to decisions about their treatments. I'm going to help with this home. I believe there are some whom God will nudge to give generously for this vision and the other pressing needs of Holston Home for Children.

For God's sake, let's "keep loving the children" with deeds and not mere words. Jesus expects that from us. Nothing less.

top

Bishop Ray W. Chamberlain
Resident Bishop

Cover Story - Secret Visitor

District Roundup

Where's Your Faith-Sharing New Testament?

New Leader

Lottery Vote

National & World News

Back to The Call Home Page