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I Don’t Envy My Children

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Quite often, something will happen that causes me my heart to ache when thinking about the world of my children, the world where they will be (and several already are) adults. This is a world where parents are afraid to parent because some outside government force may invade their privacy, reprimand, penalize or sanction them if their parental decisions do not align with political correct standards. Gone are the days when the whole world held parents in high esteem, logically assuming that they know what is best for their kids and deferring to them on all fronts regarding decisions made on their children’s behalves.

I see a world that has become political socialist in many respects, with government bodies claiming to know what is best for the people and wielding their power and legal authority over others to inculcate, indoctrinate and demand that all parents entrust the care and upbringing of their children to them or incur punishment for not doing so.

That sounds like something out of a George Orwell novel; yet, I need not look far outside my window to see evidence of it as fact. In a state that is two borders away from mine, it is now a misdemeanor for parents to choose to not immunize their children. That doesn’t seem like a big deal on the surface; however, consider what it means: that the government can force parents to allow others to inject things into their children’s bodies against their will.

There are agencies who tell parents how their children must lie when they sleep, agencies who tell them what shots they need and when, agencies who tell them what to feed their children, where and how to educate them and how to discipline them. The latter is nearly obsolete for discipline is often looked upon as restrictive, which flies out the window in a relativistic society.

Parents who wish to pass their faith on their kids really have their work cut out. In fact, people have actually been charged with crimes and prosecuted to the full extent of the law for trying to live according to their faith convictions. If a business owner says he or she cannot do something because it violates the teachings of his or her faith, it’s likely to lead to a trial at some point.

My children must raise children in a world where they risk legal repercussions for addressing other human beings as male or female. This past year, my daughter had to race against a boy in a high school competition because that boy said he wishes to go through life acting as a female. The world has changed so much that he was allowed to enter and run as a female. Were my children to become parents and teach their children that one’s gender is assigned at birth according to God’s design and that nothing can change one’s DNA even if surgical procedures are procured to change anatomy, they will risk prosecution and penalty under the law if they say such things at the wrong place and time, in front of the wrong people.

Long ago, doctors, teachers, ministers and neighbors looked to parents as the primary source of authority and wisdom in a child’s life. Now, children are often taught that their parents know nothing, that they should rebel and live as free spirits. Some are told their parents are evil, merely because they subscribe to a particular faith.

I can’t fathom how difficult it would be to be just beginning my parenting journey. I have been a parent for 33 years and have, in essence gone through (or am going through it) twice because my eldest child is age 33 and my youngest is 11, so it’s a bit like raising two families, with my first go-around of four children who are now ages 21, 23, 28 and 33, and the next phase with kids who are currently 18, 16, 14, 12 and 11. My young mothering days were simple and sweet. I didn’t have to worry about people changing the definition of the word marriage, men using women’s bathrooms, potential mass-shootings if I took my kids to the mall or a movie, or getting thrown in jail and having my children taken away from me because I declined a vaccination or medical treatment of some sort.

It’s a different world and I don’t envy my children.

I do, however, try to instill joy in their hearts. I talk to them about love of others, compassion, empathy and trust in God. I am relieved and glad that they are happy, well-adjusted people who see through the flaws of their own culture and persevere in the truth of Christ. I teach them to love the sinner and hate the sin, to stand for something, so they won’t fall for anything, to share their joy and apply the Golden Rule.

They are strong, they are courageous, they are kind and they are humble. I believe in them, that they will rise to the occasion and finish the race. I believe there are many young people like them and that our hope lies in the efforts and dreams of our youth.

If anyone can make the world a better place, they can.

 

Writer Bio: Judy Dudich

Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.

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