Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 NIV

The convention on the rights of children states that all boys and girls need a home with a safe and loving environment which will allow for healthy growth and development in all aspects of life, physically, which means their bodies, as well as mentally and spiritually.

However, this worldwide declaration is not a reality for millions of children in the different countries which have ratified it, both in the most developed as well as in the so-called third world. Many children are being abused and mistreated physically as well as psychologically.

The majority of cases of violence occur within the own home. In other cases, children become objects in sexual slavery, labor, and organ trafficking. What a tragedy!

This has created children who are insecure, anxious, violent, and in many cases, with great psychosocial adjustment problems, with incurable psychological illnesses, destined for mental hospitals or prison.

But there is another large group of boys and girls who suffer in silence from the abandonment, neglect and indifference of their parents. They are objects of violence when the father or mother goes through a difficult situation and they take out their anger and frustration on them. Others suffer violence because of their physical resemblance to the spouse who abuses the partner.

I say that they suffer in silence, because their loyalty or fear of their parents does not allow them to tell others, and they swallow that pain, fear and anxiety that this life of abuse produces.

What a sad situation for these children! It seems that parents have not learned to solve their marital problems without affecting their children, and they have nothing to do with their bad relationship.

However, the situation does not end there, there is another large population of children who have “relatively good” parents, but they are parents who neglect their children, either because they are talking on their cell phones, or when they are immersed in their own problems and interests. They isolate themselves in such a way from their children that they don’t care what they are doing. Many children have accidents because their parents neglected them.

Dear friend, as parents of small children, teenagers or for those who already have grandchildren, the question for you is how are you with them? Is your home a safe place where they feel loved? Are you living in times of economic, relational, or spiritual anguish, which change your character to make you short-tempered, and you unload on them? Do you know how your children feel at home when you are home? Are they happy with the way you treat them?

You should know that the Bible teaches us to care for our children and to bless them. Colossians 3:21 says, “Parents, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

It also says, “(He) will bless those who fear the Lord – small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children.” (Psalm 115:13-14).

“Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.” (Psalm 144:12).

Dear father or mother, take care of your sons and daughters, protect them, and be a parent that allows their children to approach Jesus. IThey can know what God does for them inn a home that is safe and full of love. Bless your children.

May God help you in all you do today.

Doctor Miguel and Irene Garita
Family Care Ministries
Church of the Nazarene, Mesoamerica Region

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