*Woman Buried in a Paupers Grave*

I read an article in the newspaper titled...

**Woman Buried in a Paupers Grave**

The article stated that Tuesday in Greensburg, La a Paupers Funeral was held for a woman whose relatives did not claim the remains, which was the first time in more than three decades. The woman died there from natural causes and it took about six weeks to make contact with the woman's out of state relatives, of which would not claim her body for burial. 

This cause me to start thinking about children today and families as a whole.

The family is the most important human relationship. God established it in the Garden of Eden when He brought two humans together and told them to multiply. They were Adam and Eve....male and female.

Family life is at a crossroads in our society. An epidemic of child abuse and neglect puts children in terrifying situations. Children are the focus of more violence than any age. The mothers womb... created by God to shelter the unborn has become the most dangerous place on earth for children. Children are also among those most likely to suffer from poverty. The war on drugs is a battle for the souls of our children. Crack addicted babies and preteens dealing narcotics shows us the price we pay. 

The role of mother is being rewritten....and that of father as well. 

A generation of children is being raised in this era of redefining parenting. Childhood basically has become a kind of experiment. 

God established the family to be the primary child rearing and human nurturing system...but family life has entered an era of great instability. The result is the destruction of moral life in all our families.

Homes should be founded on God and a commitment to love and obey Him. Parents should model a love for God that is full not partial....

commitment must be certain...not careless or casual.

You can’t convince them of the value of honesty if you are dishonest. Don’t teach morality if you are immoral and don’t offer advice on clean lips if yours are filled with profanity.

Jesus told the story of a father/son relationship. The son rebelled against the authority of the home and went far away from all he was taught. The father in the story represents God Himself. We parents would be wise to follow the example of the loving father. First he gave the boy his freedom with no strings attached. Second he allowed him to suffer the consequences of his foolishness even though he could have bailed him out.

And third he welcomed his repentant son home without insults or 

accusations.

He called for a celebration saying....this son of mine was dead and is alive again he was lost and is found...

 Luke 15:24

A loving God should be our model. Our most important family experience is neither the family which we were born, or the family we create by marrying and having children. The most important family is the one into which we are welcomed by God.

Parents are examples to follow! What example are you leading?

Dorothy Law Nolte wrote* 

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to have confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns appreciation.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.