two recent news stories about mothers illustrate why faith matters when it comes to children.
the first story is from new mexico. ms. lexis avila, 18, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and child abuse. she allegedly tossed her newborn child into a garbage dumpster and left it to die. dailmail.com her mother was interviewed and said ” ‘people can talk and give their opinion. everybody makes mistakes. people can preach all they want, they can judge all they want but we only care about the judgment of one.'” dailmail.com. the child survived and authorities are taking care of it. it is reported that the child’s father may be a 16-years-old.
the second story is from japan. it is reported that a japanese woman has placed a child up for adoption. the sperm donor allegedly misrepresented his background as a successful japanese man with a kyoto university education when he was actually chinese, married, and not as successful as presented. she had sought a donor due to due to her husband’s genetic disorder. she had had intercourse with the donor to get pregnant.
she conceived a child and discovered the donor’s misrepresentations. nypost.com she is putting the child, which would be her second, up for adoption. it is reported that “mizuho sasaki, a child welfare worker in japan, called the woman “shallow,” in a statement to vice, for “treat[ing] the child like an object.”sasaki added, “but i think it’s better to leave the kid with someone who can be a good foster parent.”
do these two stories represent individuals lacking faith?
motherhood and mothers, per the torah, are essential part of the world. mothers have a special relationship with the master of the universe. hagar’s and sarah’s stories evidence the depth. hagar, abraham’s concubine, is implored by god to return to abraham after leaving. “and the angel of the lord said to her, “behold, you will conceive and bear a son, and you shall name him ishmael, for the lord has heard your affliction.” genesis 16:11. for sarah, abraham’s wife, the torah states that god told abraham that “i will bless her, and i will give you a son from her, and i will bless her, and she will become [a mother of] nations; kings of nations will be from her. ” genesis 17:16.
the master of the universe knew that the establishment of motherhood would not be complete unless the product, children, did not support the institution. thus, with the ten commandments, children have been ordered to honor their mother. with this commandment, children are advised that they do so “in order that your days be lengthened on the land that the lord, your god, is giving you.” exodus 20:12.
in sum, we can only hope and pray that these two children will find loving families and living fulfilling and prosperous lives. likewise, we can hope that future mothers understand and appreciate that their role is one of the highest magnitude and worthy of honor by all. being a great mother is what makes you great and worthy of honor. your children’s success will follow suit.
be well!!
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