Stimulated, Sad and Speechless

"Mikey and I decided not to raise a family. We feel that the culture in this time is not supportive of families. Mothers and fathers, by necessity, leave kids with childcare or hire nannies so they can go off to work and earn money. Neighborhoods are filled with people who don't know one another and so leaving kids alone is a vulnerability. Children are raised by nuclear families who are overwhelmed by child raising when this responsibility could be shared by community. Today children have natural reactions to an artificial system (civilization). When their behavior indicates disagreement with the methods of education, instead of catering education to meet their need, we name their reaction to the system a disease and give them pharmaceuticals.  This is science fiction come to life. It makes no sense. For these reasons we decided not to have kids and to instead work on shaping the world into one we can believe in. We hope that as people learn about the ways that a commodified culture diminishes life, these things will change."

(from an interview with Wendy Tremayne about her book & life experiences HERE)

I really DO enjoy "meeting" and reading about people whose lifestyles are unique and radical--at least compared to mine.  I'm sure I would enjoy reading Wendy's book.  I was stimulated and challenged by her observations and intrigued by her personal choices based on them.   I respect her thoughtfulness.   But after reading this particular paragraph from an interview with her, I was sad.  I just had to stop awhile and reflect.  And (except for these short sentences), I find myself without words--speechless.

And so I turn to the Word of One whose wisdom and ways are higher than mine.  I hope and pray that the Church and our church WILL be supportive of families!  That our church and the Church WILL be filled with people who know one another.  That our church and the Church (and I) would be faithful in living out and communicating our unique and radical lifestyle. Obviously, things need to change!  And if we who HAVE been changed by the power of Jesus the Christ are not the
change-agents, who is?

Children ARE a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
Psalm 127:3-5

Our "Reward"

 May the Lord cause you to flourish,
    both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 115:14-15