Is it right for MK's or PK's to have to go without for their parents calling???

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by Newman

Wow. Of course its right. If God calls the child's parents; then God will provide grace sufficient for the child's needs.

Furthermore, what the child lacks in material goods and advantage is nothing compared to the opportunity given to them to see the world more clearly as God does and to more easily recognize what really matters in life.

Ditto.

[Sister Alvear]

The only problem is the child may not realize that. However my friend Newman is right by saying God provide grace sufficient for the child's needs.

gotta go...

[Rachel]

It's true.. but there are a great many things that a child doesn't fully realize or understand while he / she is a child. When all is said and done, as a adult, I don't regret or miss one thing I felt I 'had' to go without while growing up in a minister's home.

[MissBrattified]

First of all, children don't "need" as much, materially speaking, as the secular world seems to think they do. Secondly, if a family is truly going without necessities, (food, clothing, shelter), then the parents have the same obligations as any other parents to see to it that these needs are met.

But if by "going without" you mean: without nintendos, without designer clothes and tennis shoes, without videos, without TV, without piles and piles of toys, without eating out all the time, well...that's not going without.

Thirdly, I am a PK, so I feel qualified to put in my 2 cents. I believe that any child whose parents are called of God, and are in the work of the ministry are blessed to be brought up in such an atmosphere. The idea that children are being robbed of...well, anything...because their parents pray and fast and work hard and are hospitable and generous and live a life of sacrifice...? Well, that idea is so backwards its almost comical.

As long as children are safe, well-fed, educated, disciplined and loved, they will be fine. Period.

[Malvaro]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

First of all, children don't "need" as much, materially speaking, as the secular world seems to think they do. Secondly, if a family is truly going without necessities, (food, clothing, shelter), then the parents have the same obligations as any other parents to see to it that these needs are met.

But if by "going without" you mean: without nintendos, without designer clothes and tennis shoes, without videos, without TV, without piles and piles of toys, without eating out all the time, well...that's not going without.

Thirdly, I am a PK, so I feel qualified to put in my 2 cents. I believe that any child whose parents are called of God, and are in the work of the ministry are blessed to be brought up in such an atmosphere. The idea that children are being robbed of...well, anything...because their parents pray and fast and work hard and are hospitable and generous and live a life of sacrifice...? Well, that idea is so backwards its almost comical.

As long as children are safe, well-fed, educated, disciplined and loved, they will be fine. Period.

I would have hoped that was already obvious.... going without is lacking provision (food, clothes, shelter)....

[Newman]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

I would have hoped that was already obvious.... going without is lacking provision (food, clothes, shelter)....

Where are these missionary children that are going without food, clothing and shelter?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

I would have hoped that was already obvious.... going without is lacking provision (food, clothes, shelter)....

I didn't perceive from the post-clip you offered that the child was without food, clothes and shelter. Rather, it seems, there is no money (yet) for furniture, and she will have to make new friends. Is that what you call "doing without?" My children have been in that position before. I remember when Hannah was little, we made over a walk-in closet in our tiny apartment into a cute little room for her...cute...but very small. Sarah slept in the bedroom with us in her toddler bed, and had her books on a shelf above her bed and toys in bins under it. Yet, we were quite happy and so were the girls.

So again...things being tight...not the same as "doing without."

If there are any missionary children or PK's actually doing without food, clothing and shelter, I will be happy to donate some money for their assistance or recommend local services to them.

[MissBrattified]

Look...I empathize with the little girl's plight...truly...but children are resilient, and while I'm quite sure she could use our prayers as she adjust to a new place and new people, she will be alright.

Should we ask: "Is it right for children of truck drivers to have to do without their Dad's for long periods of time?" "Is it right for children of soldiers to have to wait until their 2 years old to even meet their father?" "Is it right for children of minimum-wage earning parents to miss out on wearing Nike's?"

Unless there is a true lack of the basic necessities, I am not concerned here.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

This thread is inspired from this post.... and MANY other stories I've heard through the years....



Does God recompense provision and protection back to those children??? They obviously had no choice in the matter, they went where their parents went....

I'm not just speaking of these children but MANY MANY others....

Just my humble opinion... but as long as they've got food to eat and raiment to wear (and all the other variables are addressed, love, acceptance, education, no severe beatings, etc) NO CHILD is truly suffering.

We as parents look back at our own "deprivations" as being "unjust" and vow that such injustices will never visit our own children. But then by the time they're old enough to be running through the yard the kids are finding out just how unfair everything really is. There's no way to compensate for that. Life is unfair. Love your kids and do the best you can for them. Denying your own calling or convictions will not always bring a shiney new bike or the latest game console. You brought those urchins into a world of sin and despair- now do your best to bring them hope. Or better yet, try to show them how they can create some hope for themselves.

Most importantly encourage them to learn how to learn for themselves. Encourage them to read and in their schoolwork. Make them understand that education is important. Education is the way to advance up the social ladders in most societies. Then maybe they'll be able to provide a home for you when you are old where the orderlies don't beat the inmates.

[Margies3]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Just my humble opinion... but as long as they've got food to eat and raiment to wear (and all the other variables are addressed, love, acceptance, education, no severe beatings, etc) NO CHILD is truly suffering.

We as parents look back at our own "deprivations" as being "unjust" and vow that such injustices will never visit our own children. But then by the time they're old enough to be running through the yard the kids are finding out just how unfair everything really is. There's no way to compensate for that. Life is unfair. Love your kids and do the best you can for them.

.

well said. And from my personal experience, the times that we experienced "deprivations" in our lives were the times that made us the strongest and most able to handle life's trials as we became adults. We didn't grow strong during our times of plenty.

Nobody wants to make their children go thru the hard times. We all shield them from heartaches and pain as much as humanly possible. But I wonder if, in the end, our children will feel the same as we do about the hard times they experience as kids.