Is Reliability a Lost Art?

I am so frustrated by unrealiableness (if that is really a word). People make commitments and then do not keep them. I am fully aware that things come up. It happens. It has happened to me on more than one occasion. When you let down adults, they have coping strategies and can figure out a way to deal with it. When you let down kids, it's not the same. It tears a tiny piece of them away. They may not show it on the surface. It's like taking a big rock and chipping a tiny piece of it away. No big deal if it happens a time or two. After many chippings, however, the rock begins to change shape. It is no longer the same rock. The same is true for children. Each time an adult who is supposed to be a huge part of their life lets them down, it changes them. Healthy, well-rounded kids, recover easily. Broken, torn apart children do not. They learn soon that they can rely on no one. Trust is not easily given any longer. Their self esteem begins to gradually disappear.

I am not going to get on a high horse and pretend that I have never let down a child. It happens. I understand. I am not talking about disappointments that are part of life, like not getting a toy they wanted or getting to see the movie they wanted to see. I am talking about saying you will be there for them and then NOT. Telling them you'll see them every other Wednesday and then having conflicts. These are the kiddos that we need to make SURE we follow through for!

Children, who in their life have one adult in the past year + that has been consistent need to be able to rely on that person. She needs to be there for them. Especially when she is their therapist who is trying to work out all their issues. One of their major issues is that NO ONE has been there for them. They went from mom, to an aunt (who decided she didn't want them), to a foster home away from their sister (because a different aunt didn't want them), to another foster home. Finally they are somewhere that no one will give up on them, but they don't know that!! How can they be sure? How can they trust? How can they let go and truly love and be loved?

Lord, be the one thing these children can rely on. All others are human (0urselves included) and will fail them in this life! You never fail us. No matter how undeserving we are, you never ever fail. You are the only thing that can truly fill any of our voids. Fill their void, Lord.