A very hard topic

I feel strongly pressed to speak out a sensitive and controversial topic. If at any point you become uncomfortable or offended, please stop reading.

I am very concerned with the world in which our children are living. Every day I see more and more evidence that Satan is a roaring lion crouching at our doors seeking to devour our families. A very alarming body of information has come to my attention. This information deals with sexuality, abuse, and pornography in relation to children. I can not believe what is happening under our noses!

I do not want to weigh anyone down with facts that would cause fear, but everyday there are thousands of sexual images of children posted on the internet. These include torture, mutilation, and murder. Considering that each of these images represents an instance of sexual abuse for a child, we have a real problem.

It is estimated that one out of every four children will be sexually abused. There is no estimation for the number of children that will be inappropriately exposed to sexual material on the internet or by family or friends. Most often children are hurt by someone that they know and are comfortable around.

Children are experimenting sexually at earlier ages than ever. Law enforcement personnel are handling cases in children as young as 7 and 8. These are not sexual abuse cases, but reflect cases of children with children. By many grammar school and middle school children, oral sex and genital exposure is considered as harmless as kissing and they are indulging in increasing numbers.

As a mother, this information is horrifying. How do you protect your children and also help them savor their childhood innocence? How do you send them into a world of predators that fill our schools, daycares, churches, and families?

I urge you to start arming your children today!

Talk to them frequently about the beauty and sanctity of their body and of God's plan for sexuality. Teach your boys to look away from any exposure of a female's body. Teach your girls to dress carefully and demand respect. Talk openly about their bodies, always reminding them of God's plan for them and telling them that they are to protect their bodies for their future mates. Have them begin now praying for their mate and their marriage. It creates a mindset of saving oneself for a very special and already cherished person. Openly answer all their questions in honest terms. Keep answering until they are satisfied. You really want them to get their information from you rather than on the playground.

Let your children freely express their anger, discomfort and worries. Never force your children to accept affection that is uncomfortable (they do not have to let Aunt Susy kiss them), or hide their emotions (remember, they can be angry and not sin). Let your children know that you will always believe them first. Most children who are abused feel automatic shame and fear. Work hard at creating a safe environment for them to tell you anything.

Teach your children about good and bad touch and tell them they should immediately tell you, or another adult they can trust, if anyone hurts them. Tell them to keep telling people until someone helps them. Let them know that you are not perfect. Give them permission to seek help from someone else if you fail to understand them or help them appropriately.

Be as honest as you can about the potential dangers that exist. If they understand what is out there, they will not be as surprise or shamed if something happens. This can help lessen the damage afterward if they know they are not alone or wrong in any way. Teach them that the truth will always set them free. Help them know that almost all abusers tell the children that something bad will happen if anyone finds out the "secret" and then teach them about good and bad secrets!

Do not let your children use the internet unsupervised and never let them use a chat room. This may seem extreme, but consider the times you have stumbled upon inappropriate pictures or information and remember they are even more vulnerable. Chat rooms are a breading ground for lies and deception. Even adults are not smart enough to be able to discern all the falsehood. Children don't stand a chance. Research and understand the dangers of MySpace and blogs. Realize how many children are led into dangerous and fatal situations through the internet.

Pray, Pray, Pray! Do not stop. Beg God for their protection. Beg Him to allow no lies or deception in your family. Beg Him for integrity and honesty. Beg Him for their safety and their pure sexuality. Pray for their spouses and their children. Pray for every generation that will come from your line until the return of Christ. Pray for our nation and pray for His swift return to save us all from the evil one!

Be brave mothers that are raising equipped young warriors!