Let's Talk

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been silent. I remained silent as I mourned the deaths of the nine precious individuals of Charleston. I silently grieved with the faith community of Emanuel AME Church and the people of my home state, South Carolina. I prayed in silence for the perpetrator, his soul and for his family. All of these are my people. I am a part of them and they of me. I grieved, prayed and reflected silently.

In the days that followed, I became prideful once again of the great state of SC as they prayed, hugged, worshipped, held vigils, forgave and even marched in the spirit of unity and love. The nation and world could most assuredly learn from these images and news stories.

Today, my heart aches as voices across the country shift the conversation and focus. The issues are not about a flag, gun control, people carrying guns or not, racism or the past. I am not interested in joining that conversation. That conversation is for another day. Today, in my opinion, should be about conversing and focusing on the REAL issues. I see three of them: (1) the misplaced ideology of freedom, (2) the state of morality in the U. S., and (3) the lack of focus on mental health issues. All four of them have a common thread of a spiritual void.

The ideological view of freedom in our nation has gone so far to the left that people are adopting the belief that individuals are free to do whatever, whenever and wherever. Freedom came to this nation with a huge price, but it also came to us with parameters/boundaries. I was always taught that my freedom ended where another’s began. Politicians, activists and Hollywood have been inching toward no parameters/boundaries for years, and we accept behaviors under the umbrella of “freedom acts” that trample on the rights of others. Freedom is precious. Freedom is not free. Freedom is not a right to do whatever, whenever, wherever or with whomever. Freedom doesn’t get to maximize its potential without a regard for others. Let’s go back to the basics and talk about freedom and its relationship to “do no harm.” You my brothers (and sisters) were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in sinful behavior; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command, “Love your neighbor as yourself. (Galatians 5:13-14)

The state of morality in the U. S. has plummeted and is not much higher than the lowest cesspool. The newspapers, television, talk shows and social media are filled with stories of the fall of morality. We focus our attention more on the dramatic, negative sides, and ill-gotten gains of society rather than the good. When you focus so much on the negatives most assuredly only more negatives are to come. Just a matter of the replication theory. Focus on the positives of people in our newspapers, television talk shows and social media and good things will start to happen. So let’s talk about what we are allowing the media to feed our minds and hearts, but wait, that’s a freedom issue! Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Mental health is a thread that weaves through most events as witnessed in Charleston. According to Sarah Kiff of the Washington Post (12/17/2012), the mental health-care system in this nation is not big enough to handle all of the needs. She poignantly points out in her article: (1) approximately 5.6% of our healthcare budget go toward mental health care, (2) mental health dollars mostly goes toward prescription drugs and outpatient treatment, (3) access to mental health care is worse than other types of medical services, (4) 45% of the untreated individuals cite costs as a barrier, (5) negative attitudes toward mental health treatment become barriers, (6) states cut mental health dollars during the recession, and (7) the Affordable HealthCare Act is to require insurance companies to pay for certain mental health treatments. The bottom line for me is this: the mental health of our citizens should be a priority. Downplaying the mental stability and need for treatment, inpatient and outpatient, will only give rise to negative behaviors and more people becoming victimized. Want talk about mental health? The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. (Jonah 2:5-6)

There will be those who read this and berate it. There will be those who read and proclaim, “This is from a simpleton.” There will be those who read and want to debate. There will be those who read and will want to intellectualize it. There will be those who will read and want to proof text the Scripture used. That’s okay.

I am a simple person. A person of simple faith. I believe in God and believe in Satan. I believe in the Spirit of Good and the Spirit of Evil. Freedom can be good and evil. Morality can be good and evil. Mental health can manifest good and evil. Good comes from God, evil from Satan. Each and every day I deal with children who challenge the bounds of freedom, push the limits of morality, suffer from mental health issues and manifest certain behaviors that teeter on the realm of evil. There is no one pill or spiritual experience that makes it all magically disappear. By treating the whole person (spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically), we have a much better chance at success and transformation.

I don’t want to converse about a flag, a gun, some type of “ism” or camp out in the past. A conversation is needed both inside and outside of the Church. I want to converse with and focus on people, individuals and groups, seeking to make a better life for one and all. Is that too much to ask?

Just one man’s mind.

(Photos from Washington Post, The Post and Courier and ABC News)

Voices from Appalachia

Just yesterday I spent some time on our Buckhorn campus with my daughter, Sarah, who is a critical care nurse at Children’s of Alabama, giving her the “fifty cents” tour and letting her meet some of “my children” whom I often talk much about and love dearly. I was awestruck once more by the many conversations, hugs, fist bumps and laughter that we encountered.

This week we have a Baptist Church from TN hosting an afterschool programming and activities on this particular campus so Sarah and I had a chance to “hang out.” While hanging out the following happened:

• “Hey boss man (one young lady affectionately calls me), I’m mad at you!” “Why?” I responded. “Because of your policies I can’t make a home visit this weekend.” “Why?” “Because I was involved in an incident that cost me my privileges.” “So your choice of actions are now my fault?” “No, it’s your policies!” “Our policies are designed to protect you, protect your peers and protect our staff. Policies are designed to help you make right choices that will promote health, healing and hope.” “I know. I just want to be mad at somebody and since you’re the boss man I thought you would be the right person! Plus I like you a lot!”
• “Hey Mr. Ricky, we are writing letters to the folk at the nursing home, and we thought we would write a letter to you!” The letter read “Don’t get old on us!” and was initialed by all the children involved. When asked why they didn’t want me to get old, they stated, “Because we like you.”
• A young lady came up to me smiled and showed me her arms. “Look Mr. Ricky, I haven’t self-harmed in 21 days. I get to go see my aunt this weekend!”
• “Hey Mr. Ricky, do you remember that time I was acting out and you came to campus just because of me?” “Yes I do.” “I guess I’m special, eh?” Yes, you are special.”

The fortunate thing about these statements is they can be multiplied many times over, not because of what I do and say, but because of the caring, loving, committed and passionate staff that work for Buckhorn Children and Family Services to provide a sanctuary of health, healing and hope. Yes, I get the joys of being with the children anytime I want to, but the fact is that our cottage staff are with our children continuously through the good and bad times. It’s the good times that make the bad times tolerable and remind us of why we do what we do.

Unfortunately, for the children in KY, things aren’t getting any better. In yesterdays’ publication of The Courier Journal, reporter Deborah Yetter, casted an article that should make us all shudder! “The number of KY children removed from homes because of abuse or neglect has reached more than 8,000—the highest in memory for child advocates who find the increase alarming. Officials cite drug abuse, domestic violence and poverty as among the reasons for the steady rise.” Not only does the article cite the rise in abuse and neglect, but it also cites that children survivors have increased needs and services more than ever before.

 

As the rates of out-of-home placements rise so does the need for foster care and residential services. The financial burden on the State increases and so does the burden for residential services. Neither the government nor private child care agencies can respond in total. It takes a nation of people to respond to the outcry of abused and neglected children.

As a person of faith, I believe it is incumbent upon the faith community to intentionally engage in personal, family and church involvement on behalf of our children. Not just for Buckhorn but for all children worldwide! So, how can you help?

• Send a personal check. One that is more than a contribution. One that is a sacrifice.
• Pray about fostering a child.
• Host a fundraiser in your home, work and/or church.
• Be an advocate for policies that address abuse and neglect.
• Personally volunteer or coordinate a mission trip to a residential facility.
• Pray, Pray, Pray.