I recently came across a video interview of young adults whose parents had divorced. All the interviewees were either fresh out of school or just starting to work, yet the memories of their parents’ divorces (which had happened when they were in primary school) were as clear as day. All the stories were different, but they had one thing in common—the divorce dealt a big blow to the mental health of these children. In one case, a young girl struggled with depression and self-esteem issues for a long time, because her mother disliked the fact that she looked like her father.
In an era where more than one in five marriages end up in divorce, the suffering of a broken home will become the norm for many children. So many of the mental health issues that our generation is facing can be traced back to a dysfunctional homes. Why? This is because the family is God’s ordained place where we learn about and form our identity. In God’s plan, it is the place where we first learn and experience God’s love, and through this, know and experience God Himself.
Where the home has failed to reveal God to children, we—as Christ-followers—need to become part of their lives, so that they can learn and experience God’s love for them. They need to grow up in the security of Jesus, the One who is always present, always strong and always kind. He is the only One who can satisfy.
When I first led CityAlight’s “Jesus Strong and Kind” at the chapel service of Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home earlier this year, it was during the brief period in which congregational singing (with masks on) was allowed. The older children, who were typically reticent during chapel services, started singing along as soon as they had learnt the tune. The chaplain noticed this and asked me to lead the song again at the end of the service. Initially, I thought this was because of the accessible tune. But on hindsight, it might also have been the message of the song that spoke to the children: “You can always run to Jesus, He will not let you down or turn you away. He will bear you up even when everything around you is crumbling.”
Each year, we celebrate Children’s Day in October to remember what joy and blessing a child brings to the world around them. But in the midst of the celebrations, let us also remember the children who are not recognised or valued for who they are. May we emulate our Lord Jesus Christ, who opened His arms to these children and said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 19:14).
JESUS STRONG AND KIND
Jesus said that if I thirst,
I should come to Him.
No one else can satisfy,
I should come to Him.
Jesus said if I am weak,
I should come to Him.
No one else can be my strength,
I should come to Him.
For the Lord is good and faithful,
He will keep us day and night.
We can always run to Jesus;
Jesus strong and kind.
Jesus said that if I fear,
I should come to him.
No one else can be my shield;
I should come to Him. (Chorus)
Jesus said if I am lost,
He will come to me.
And He showed me on that cross
He will come to me. (Chorus)
Words & Music: Rich Thompson, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Colin Buchanan
(© 2019 CityAlight Music)
Listen at https://youtu.be/T5Y8s-Sz_ac or scan the QR code.
Amelia Leo is a programmes executive at the Methodist School of Music, Worship & Church Music Department. She ministers through music at the Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home and has a one-and-a-half year old daughter, Faith.