Two hospitals in Edmonton
announced this week that they are opening 'Angel’s Cradles' where
Officials say that the service is meant “to provide an
alternative to unsafe abandonment, such as leaving a newborn in a trash bin or
back alley”. The new ‘service’ in Edmonton is inspired
by a similar ‘service’ being offered by a hospital in Vancouver over the past three years.
I certainly don’t want to stand in judgment of a young
mother that finds herself in such a desperate situation that she would feel
that this is the only or best course of action for her and her child. The
announcement did remind me however of a passage of Scripture…
“Can a mother forget
the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.” Isa 49:15,16
Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.” Isa 49:15,16
It’s hard for us to conceive of the anguish involved in
abandoning one’s own child. But while it is, thankfully, not a common
occurrence (the hospital in Vancouver
has only had one child dropped off in the three years it has been offering the
service), it can and does happen.
The truth is that, as much as we love and honour our parents,
and as much as they love and do for us, as parents, we do fail. As human
beings, our love, though ferociously loyal a lot of the time, particularly when
it comes to our children, is not perfect.
But, let’s be reminded that when we talk about the love and
care of God, we are talking about a perfect love; a love that never fails.
The shepherd king of Israel also spoke of God’s love in
these same terms.
“Though my father and
mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Psa
27:10
The phrase ‘unfailing love’ is a phrase that occurs numerous
times in Scripture (4 times in Psa 107 alone) but it is always in reference to God’s
love for us because only God’s love is perfect.
Got a few moments? Have a listen.
So true it is sad and I don't no how people abuse or neglect or even abandon a child. But I guess this is a better alternative then abortion. And the other hard part is when they come in the system the parents have a chance to get to back or if someone wanted say a group they would rather split them up. I was told "the home doesn't have be the best just good enough". I didn't have it easy growing up but as a Christian looking back I was always loved and when i felt alone i was never alone God was always there . There are no orphans of God so all we can do is pray for our children and their parents.
ReplyDeleteThere are 'no orphans of God'. I like that Barb. Thank you.
ReplyDelete