I'm So Sorry: Thoughts on Bringing a Little One into a Crazy World

Every time I read the news these days, or get on Facebook, I am inundated with negativity and tragedy. And something inside of me whispers, “I’m sorry,” to the little girl growing in my womb.

I hear people react to awful news stories, or the latest election scandal, and say, “And this is why I’m not bringing children into this world.” And yet here I am. Seven and a half months pregnant. And I’m bringing a child into this mess.

I’m bringing her into a world where people think that carpet bombs and giant walls are the answer; a world where children just like her are abandoned, abducted, or forced into slavery; a world where our society is fracturing along racial and socioeconomic lines; a world where she will be catcalled and harassed while walking down the street; a world where she will need to learn how not to get raped; a world where people who are different are viewed as alien, dangerous, or evil; a world in which people that I know are suddenly revealing themselves to be hate-filled and bigoted; a world where history constantly repeats itself, and not in a good way; a world where families and children are forced to leave their homes because of war, and have nowhere else to go; a world ruled by hatred and fear.

I’m so sorry, little one.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in fear, especially with the insanity of our current election season. It almost seems as though fear has reached pandemic proportions in our country these days, whether you realize it or not. Fear of not having the right president, fear of not having the right policies, fear of our rights being taken away, fear of others coming to hurt us or take “our” country. I mean, seriously, there’s a whole campaign based on making America great and safe again. (Ahem.)

I’m not trying to get political here, I’m just thinking about my daughter. Fear is contagious, and that’s not something I want her to catch.

In the midst of all the guilt and anxiety that I’ve been feeling about this lately, there are two things that have come to mind:

First, we need to be REALLY careful about the messages we are sending our children, especially for those of us who claim to follow Christ. Are we showing our children what really matters? Are we fixing our eyes on Christ as our savior, or our president as our savior? Are we following Christ’s teachings about loving our enemies and caring for the oppressed or are we more concerned with our country, our stuff, our safety?

I saw this video on Facebook the other day, and it really struck a chord with me, so I figured I’d share it with you, too. Disclaimer: the speaker in this video is specifically addressing those 45 years of age and older. If that’s you, please don’t get offended or feel like I’m singling you out. I truly believe it is applicable to Christians of all ages, and I’m sharing it because I personally felt convicted by it.

Second, I may not be able to give my daughter a world filled with peace and kindness, but I can give the world a girl who will grow up to be filled with peace and kindness. Our world is pretty screwed up, but rather than feeling anxious or guilty about it, I can work to change it, and more importantly, I can raise a young woman who will do the same. This is my chance to bring a little more love and hope to the world.