My husband has been in New York City all week for work, and I stayed back in Ohio, and have been staying at my parents’ home.
And it’s been just one of those weeks where it feels like the world is kind of gray. It’s been foggy and rainy for literally the past five days straight, resulting in a damp aura over everything. It’s one of those weeks where you just want to cozy up, drink tea, make a pot of chili and watch a movie.
And it’s definitely set the mood for me missing my husband a lot.
But this sudden slow down of life has also afforded me the luxury of having some time to think. And I’ve been seriously contemplating the fact that we’re going to be bringing a child into a world that is deeply broken.
I have fears about what the school curriculum is going to be like by the time he or she will be attending. I have fears about the path society is going down regarding gender, trans issues, the sexualization — particularly inserting the queer agenda — of everything (from children’s television shows to books) that seems to target younger and younger audiences, and the glorification of alternative lifestyles. I have fears about the way our country has completely turned away from God, and glorifies Santanic imagery and messaging. I even have fears about the harmful ingredients and additives in our food.
There’s so much that I want to protect our child from, and he or she hasn’t even left the womb yet!
But for as unsettled this mother’s heart is, I do have tremendous hope.
And really for one reason: the people we are surrounded by. Our “village” – if you will.
Yes, all of my fears are real and valid, BUT the people that we are in contact with in our daily life, they are going to have the strongest influence on our child. They will be the positive forces and voices of truth that will drown out the societal clamor.
And boy, do we have some incredible people. Our family and friends — they will provide such a positive force of good in our child’s life.
Hebrews 10: 24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Now more than ever, we need to surround ourselves with a community of Christ-loving people. The world is going to keep getting crazier and crazier, but when we surround ourselves with fellow believers who know and love and live out the truth, we can resist the perils of this world together.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
So thank you, Lord, for blessing me with a beautiful community of people who love You. Help me to feel the peace and reassurance that our child will be surrounded by Your grace through the walking angels you’ve placed in our lives. And please give me eyes to see those people for who they are, and the fortitude to raise a child in a fallen world.
BeautyBeyondBones 
Great attitude. Y’all will do an awesome job as parents, there is no doubt in my mind. Love your child(ren), be honest and stay close to God. Find comfort in God’s love as well as Steven’s, your family, your friends, and all of your supporters. We pray with and for y’all daily. Hugs & Love 🤗 & ❤️!!!
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thank you so much HJ! i so appreciate your encouraging words 🙂 and wow that is great advice. Love our kids, honesty, and staying close to God! amen! straight forward and powerful! grateful for your prayers! Hugs and love xox
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Your fears are very valid, Caralyn. I have often wondered what kind of world we from the older generations are leaving our children. My son and daughter are in their 30s, they never did home schooling, but maybe this could be an alternative for your child.
It may keep he or she from being exposed to at least a few things like those agendas which are so vile. The evil one is hard at work, we need to surround ourselves with others who believe as we do. Be well, be strong, Caralyn! 🙏🏻✝️❤️
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Thank you John for this encouragement. I have definitely thought about homeschooling more and more recently. We have friends that do it, and they have some really remarkable kids. One just got into Notre Dame on a scholarship! You’re right about that, the enemy is at work, but God is stronger! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
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The Bible has exactly predicted this age we live in. When God looked at the state of the world before the flood bought on the earth to cleanse it He described conditions we live in today very well as he looked down the ages. The New Testament indicates God will intervene again but this time it will be cleansed by fire and remade. Those who have rejected satan’s chaotic world and been taken to heaven will watch this happen and we are assured no created being will ever want to go against God’s government of freedom again because what they have seen or experienced will be such a terrible memory no one would want to tolerate sin again. Steering the child you bring into this sick world in the right direction will be a real challenge so my prayers are with you as you continue to represent Him as a witness for good against the tide of wickedness we see now.
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Hi Ian, thank you for this comment. You’re right about that: we are living out what was talked about in the Bible. It is wild that more people don’t talk about that, because the writing is on the wall, and we’ve got a literal handbook of what’s to come! Thank you for your prayers. You’re absolutely right: my role as wife and mother is to help get my husband and child(ren) to Heaven. A tide of wickedness is just about the best descriptor of this current time I’ve ever heard! Hugs and love xox
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Hi Caralyn. My husband is Catholic and he suggested sending our daughter to a Catholic school. There is no queer agenda or woke curriculum there. Interestingly, my daugher’s school has adjusted to modern society and some older kids get away with wearing crop tops and revealing clothing which I don’t agree with in a school setting.
If you are worried, I still recommend a Catholic school or private school for your child. I hope this can put your mind at ease as we all learn to navigate these muddy waters.
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Hi Hilary, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and advice! We have definitely thought about Catholic school when the time comes. There are some really wonderful ones here in Cincinnati for elementary, middle and high school. Oh wow, yeah that is surprising that crop tops are allowed. I went to public school, but we couldn’t even wear sleeveless shirts! How times have changed. Thank you again for the encouragement. That will definitely be a fruitful discussion that my husband and I have going forward, because he went to 12 years of Catholic school. In fact, he was SHOCKED that I went to public! haha but the public schools here in Cincy are phenomenal, and my particular one was super conservative and basically a Christian school anyway. have a great evening! Hugs and love xox
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The same worries you have for your child are the same ones that we are worrying about for our grandchildren as they enter and are just starting their formal educations. I totally understand. I had a friend tell me years ago when we were raising our children that the best thing a parent can do is have callouses on their knees. I looked at her a bit confused and then realized that her message was to pray, pray incessantly. Wonderful guidance. God bless you and your whole “village”.
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Thank you for sharing your heart on this. Callouses on their knees — i love that way of putting it. I’ve got to agree: prayer, especially the prayers of a parent (or grandparent) for a child…I believe those prayers go straight into the ears of our Father 🙂 But that is wonderful advice: pray incessantly. Hugs and love xox
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Amen! We pray and do our part, and learn to put everything in God’s hands.
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thank you for this encouragment, Clara. you’re right — all in His hands! Hugs and love xox
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Your fears are natural, especially in this gloomy season. I have similar concerns, even now with my daughter who is 7. All we can do is trust our hearts and god. There are still good options for parenting; church groups, Girl Scouts etc. Sometimes we have to set the example for more than just our own children, but it’s always worth it.
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thank you Kristie for this encouragement! you’re right – we trust God and look for the good options!! Hugs and love xox
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Dear sweet Caralyn, you are going to be the most amazing mother! You are grounded in your faith in Jesus, and that is the best foundation any family can have.
Years ago, I found a sign that said, “The best gift a man can give his children is to love their mother.” The same sentiment works for moms too. So love of God, love for each other, and love of family are a very good beginning for the three of you. ❤️
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thank you Barbara for such kind words of encouragment. that means a lot 🙂 Oh wow, I love that — it really is the best gift we can give our children!! writing that quote down 🙂 Hugs and love xox
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Hey Caralyn 🙂
There’s a sort-of fun video I watched recently called “How Religion Evolved: And why it endures” in which Robin Dunbar elaborates on some aspects of his “Dunbar’s number” on the size of religious congregations. I found it fascinating — and for me the interesting part primarily has to do with natural language (but maybe for you the “communal” / religious implications might be more interesting.
As an undergraduate, I studied economics and history (I actually have two degrees 😉 ), and one of the most impactful texts was undoubtedly “Small is Beautiful” by E.F. Schumacher … but it might be difficult to read without some background knowledge in economics. Schumacher proposed that the maximum size of cities ought to be something like 500k, and using Dunbar’s recommendation WRT “levels” of government / community / whatever in powers of 150, that would require 3 levels (as 2 levels = 150 x x150 = 22,500)
🙂 Norbert
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Hi norbert, thank you for that recco! I will have to check out that video! the economic text sounds fascinating — however a bit over my head! hahah. — the video however, i look forward to checking out! And coming from a city (NYC) of like 8 million, a city of 500K sounds ideal! haha Hugs and love xox
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I have a file server, where I’ve downloaded a whole load of great shows and cartoons from my childhood. From cartoon classics like Tom and Jerry, Pink Panther, Flintstones to action shows like Knight Rider, MacGyver and the like. Even comedies like Friends, Laurel and Hardy, Mind your Language and nature documentaries as well as stuff about Dinosaurs and shows like the Top Gear.
I intend on get classic Sesame Street as well. The idea is that, I feel television is going to get unbearable in the coming years if some change doesn’t happen soon. Why spend money on a Netflix or something that doesn’t fit what I want to watch. I would rather watch something old. If I find a new show that is clean of queer agenda, I will add it to the collection.
In the future, when I have kids, they will only watch stuff from the server. There will be more than enough entertainment on there for them.
Looking at the world right now, it is clear that the targets are children and the destruction of the coming generation. It started with Teletubbies.
I would suggest people to look and introduce your children to anime and kdrama over the stuff that is coming from the western world right now. It will certainly be free from this nonsense.
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Hi friend! Oh that is such a great thing you did to download those classics for your future children! you should sell copies of the files! haha i bet you’d find a lot of other people yearning for the wholesome programming of yore. I agree – Netflix has nothing I want for my future child. how scary that kids are the target. i’ve never seen anime or kdrama, but i am intrigued! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
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Homeschooling, I highly suggest looking into it/giving it a try. We have homeschooled all since day 1. We knew going into marriage that this was what we were going to do 🙂 Our oldest is now 17 and has her head on her shoulders, is aware of the ridiculousness in this world, and is able to look around and decide for herself what is and is not ok. She has a foundation in our God and has been encouraged to explore her God-given talents. She is currently working on a fantasy novel that she hopes to self-publish by the end of this school year. She is a smart kid would could do and be anything she wants. Am I perfect teacher? Haha, no. 🙂 But I have done my best and she will be taking some practice GED tests this summer so we can work on filling in any gaps. Homeschooling isn’t perfect, but it also allows us as parents to introduce topics in an age appropriate manner and time. It means our young children are not exposed to things they do not need to be aware of or even know exists at their age. Just a thought 🙂 I was also homeschooled for most of my elementary school time. If anyone is worried about socialization (I am not) there are co-ops EVERYWHERE 🙂 Ask at your local library if they know of any groups that get together in your area. They are happy to help! With God by your side, constant prayer, and a whole lot of grit, you will be just fine. It is a scary, fallen world we live in, but our children are hope. They are the ones who will be continuing the fight against the darkness, it’s our job to equip them the best way we can in whatever way it is God is leading us. You will be wonderful parents and God will be with you the entire way. God Bless!
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what an incredibly beautiful gift you have given your children!! i am so inspired. Steven and I have definitely discussed homeschooling, and I think it is a really awesome way to go. And that’s a great tip about the library! We actually have dear family friends who are part of a homeschooling co-op who I know would be more than happy to show us the ropes too, when the time comes! (they have 9 kids, so they will definitely still be involved when our time comes!) 🙂 Thanks for sharing this beautiufl perspective and ecouragement! Hugs and love xox
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Love those happy smiles.
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thank you 🙂 yes – we have so much joy right now to bask in! Hugs and love xox
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Yes. This. You are certainly justified in your fears. But this kid is going to be raised by parents who understand what’s going on, who reject the values of the world and will love that child and raise him or her (do you know which yet? have you said which yet?) to know and love Jesus. And that is the most important thing here.
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Thank you Greg — gosh, what a kind thing to say – thank you. We will find out gender in about 4 week. Leap day to be exact and we are SO EXCITED!! Amen — our number one priority is to help our child form a personal relationship with Jesus. that’s first and foremost. thanks again friend. Hugs and love xox
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Yes, raise your children with your “village,” “your people.” They need that.
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amen to that! Thank you Shari — we are very blessed to have a wonderful village who are excited to love our child!!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
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We need more children that are going to spread the gospel. When my kids were little it was hard to go to church and do all the things but I realized it’s the most important thing I can do for them. So we do church, my kids are in Awana and youth group and we read the Bible every single day and we talk and talk and talk about God and Jesus and how the Bible tells us to respond to situations. And the best thing you can do is make sure you are constantly in the word so that when your kids come with questions you can answer them. And they will ask tough questions. God bless you and your family.
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thank you Jen for this reflection. You’re so right – helping our children love God and their faith formation is our most important role as parents. I fully agree. I will have to look up Awana! it sounds like you are raising incredible kids and I am inspired by your devotion to empower your children to love the Lord! that is so beautiful!!! Hugs and love xox
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For some reason, reading your post reminded me of a video I saw earlier today. It’s titled, “Entrusting Your Children To God” from the Augustine Institute. It tells the story of St. Monica who was alone in her faith as a Christian while her family, including her children, were pagan. She would pray for them to be converted to Christianity, especially her son Augustine, later to become St. Augustine. Before, he lived a very pagan life. Later she received a vision of encouragement for Augustine’s future.
Then Augustine came upon St. Ambrose and his life changed and came to total conversion. I guess my point is something that I’m working on right now in my early stages of learning about the Catholic Church and that is trust in the Lord in all things and not in the world. It’s not easy but it is fruitful when we do surrender everything over to the Lord, such as is stated in the “Surrender Prayer,” which I have come to recite each day, sometimes several times a day. In part, “I surrender every person in my life to you. I surrender every situation in my life to you. I surrender every relationship I am in to you. I surrender every concern I have to you.”
It’s a powerful prayer that, for me, chips away at my lack of true trust in the Lord each time I pray it. I believe the very essence of all the anxiety that people experience today, especially the young people, is because of their lack of trust in God. The fact that God, and the knowledge and understanding of God, has been taken out of most every aspect of society, from schools and institutions, corporations and even many churches.
It is what we have to face in these days, which have been foretold to us through many apparitions of Mary, where she gave us great warnings of what will come if we don’t change our ways. And those things are coming to pass because we, as a whole, aren’t changing our ways. But Mother Mary is always there for us, willing to give us grace and protection if only we allow her to do so. And we allow her, and her Son, to do so by surrendering our lives to them, trusting God, for our lives are truly God’s and not our own.
Pride makes us believe that our lives are our own to define and thus, being one of the greatest sins, separates us from the great love and Divine Mercy that God so willingly and even, in a sense, is begging to give to us if only we would allow God to do so through our most dear and loving Mother Mary. As Mother Mary told me in my heart; though my knowledge and understanding at this time may be limited, I have the greatest weopon and source of protection already at my fingertips, and that is prayer. Just as St. Monica did for St. Augustine, and look at how that turned out.
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Hi Matthias, thank you so much for this marvelous comment. wow – that surrender prayer hit me so hard. how powerful! i am definitely going to check out that video. you’re right, Mother Mary is always there for us, and we can depend on her and the graces she bestows, as Jesus’ mother. This reminds me of the homily from this past Sunday, how we must surrender all that keeps us from God, over to Him to sanctify. This is wonderful encouragment. thank you. Hugs and love xox
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My husband had to remind me today that our God is still a good God even when things don’t go our way. I got to learn that. One thing I know I’m excited about is for his return. I believe that he will becoming at the sounding of the seventh trumpet.
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