Preserving Innocence

For more than 23 years, and along with raising four children of my own, I have babysat over 20 children in my home. While in my care I was responsible for tending to their physical and emotional needs, to mentor them, teach them things like how to swim, take them to the zoo, etc. As most of them are now maturing into young adults, I feel proud to have been a small part of their lives. I treasure the innocence of little children. To me, they closely resemble the splendor of God.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  -Matthew 18:1-3

It should come as no surprise then that I, as well as most of you, feel outraged over the recent Penn State scandal and the alleged acts of sex abuse of so many young boys. Their innocence was ripped away from them and, sadly, the emotional trauma will remain with them long after the physical pains have healed.

“To value his own good opinion, a child has to feel that he is a worthwhile person. He has to have confidence in himself as an individual.”  -Sidonie Gruenberg

May we as individuals, and society as a whole, always be diligent in fighting to defend the beautiful qualities and characteristics of all children and act accordingly to shield them from the very people who should be protecting them and preserving their innocence. 

As we near Thanksgiving, let us be grateful for all the blessings we have, for our families and friends and, most especially, our children. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Photo by: Salvatore Vuono

About the Author

Sharon Lape

Sharon Lape is both the permissions manager and the editorial assistant in the periodicals department at Franciscan Media. She also researches and provides content for the popular Minute Meditations feature. Sharon is a wife and a mother of four children.