I’d say when my daughter Jacqueline was 5 she figured out on the calendar when she was going to be 5 and a half.  The days were flying by that year and all she did was talk about her “half birthday”. 

So I decided since this is turning into such a big deal I ought to do something about it.  But what?  Have another birthday party with cake and a ton of other 5 year olds running around?  I don’t think so – because I had not recovered from the last party. 

So what was I to do for this very monumental day in this 5 year olds life? 

I figured it out.  It would be a date with dad.  Dress up and take her anywhere she would wanted to go.  I thought I would come out cheap and get to go to McDonald’s.  Not what she had in mind.  We went to Red Lobster and had Crab Legs!!!

Well, she is 13 now and we still celebrate “half birthday’s”.  Now all three of the kids get to pick.  Anywhere out to eat with dad.  Got lucky this year with Walker… He wanted McDonald’s.  Valerie wanted Applebee’s (I think she really wanted Dave and Buster’s but we didn’t have time for that). 

 Proverbs 22:6, “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.” (NCV)

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.  Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:15, NCV)

Tonight I’m real saddened by this… A friend that I work with is a mentor to a child who is in a school system in a different county.  This boy lives with his grandparents.  Dad is no where around and his mom died today.  The grandparents that he lives with are not well themselves.  According to the school this boy is the rock of the family.

My heart is broken over the loss of this one young boy.  I’m broken in my spirit and I wonder how he feels tonight.  I can’t imagine the emptiness, the loneliness, the fear, and the questions that are yet to come.

I thank God that my friend is a mentor to this little one.  I thank God that the school reached out to my friend for help.  I thank God that he shared his story with me.  Will you pray with me for him… I don’t know his name but I know God does.

There is a lot of “stuff” kids today have to deal with and put up with.  Unfortunately, much of it is the result of bad choices adults have made.

We who are able need to stand up for those who need someone.