I was shopping a few weeks ago at Kmart. I normally don't go in there, but they sent me a coupon and I'm a sucker for a bargain. As I was checking out I noticed a little girl sitting by herself. She was maybe 8 at the oldest. I watched her for a while, trying to figure out why she was sitting alone (I love CSI and am always trying to solve a mystery). I started walking toward her and quickly realized why she was alone. Her mom was sitting at a slot machine (yes, they do have slot machines in Kmart). The area was glassed off and the little girl wasn't allowed inside, so mom left her alone while she chased a dream of financial prosperity.
We had lunch with a couple that are foster parents of an 18-month old girl. They had gotten the baby when she was 3 months old. She has 5 other siblings, all of whom have been sexually molested by their parents and each other. They share STDs and cannot be placed in the same home because the only way they relate to each other is sexually.
I'm reading a book right now called, "Chasing Fireflies." One of the main characters is a little boy who has been abused repeatedly. His body is covered in scars and sores. He doesn't speak, and quite frankly who could blame him?
I was leaving Chuck E Cheese on Monday night. A woman was there with her two small children and her mother. I watched in horror as mom and Grandma yelled at the kids, kicked them, and called them names I wouldn't even call an enemy. Mom was infuriated because one of the boys was crying. I think I would be crying too. The icing on the cake was when the smaller boy, no older than 3, repeatedly said, "F*?# You!" to his mom. It didn't even phase her.
I share all this because I am burdened. My heart is broken for these children. I am provoked to anger because of the sin and carelessness of their parents and caregivers. It is nearly impossible for me to understand the reasoning behind it. The only thing I do understand is that in most cases, the abusers are themselves victims of abuse. It's generational sin to the millionth degree. It's years of abuse that define and create abusers.
Beth Moore has a brilliant study called, "Breaking Free." In it she talks about generational sin and how we can work against it in our lives. With God we can stop the lines of alcoholism, anger, over-eating, lying, gambling, holding grudges, etc. that have been present in our families for generations. I highly recommend it.
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