I still have the picture, though I normally do not cling to things that make me sad. It was drawn by someone who was a child in our church youth group. Our church has always had a ton of kids, and they most always bring a smile to my face. But this time
The picture was hand-drawn by a budding little artist. It is of her family, and she gave it to one of our youth leaders at the end of a lesson. She was in it, all of her siblings were in it, and one of her parents was in it. But the other parent had been drawn – and then heavily X’d out with a black crayon, and the words “No One” had been written over that figure.
Pastor Bo WagnerThat “No One” was the parent that was no longer there for her. That “No One” was the parent who chose sin over righteousness and pleasure over responsibility.
Being a parent is not an easy job; we say that often, and it is true. But being a child is not an easy job either. Every new thing brings the potential for uncertainty and anxiety. Every new school year brings fears of the unknown mingled with hope of what may be. Every trial brings the ominous foreboding that one may be going through something that no one else, ever, has been through or understands.
And that is why God gave children the gift of a mom and a dad.