Who Am I To Judge??

A local parish held its annual fundraiser carnival this past week. It is open to the public and is widely publicized on local community Facebook pages. All are welcome!  Amusement rides, ice cream, games, funnel cake and popcorn.  All things to indicate fun and happy times for kids and families.  But when I left the fairgrounds, all I felt was sadness.  I had volunteered for one of the tables and watched for three hours as small children wandered loosely around as parents or guardians of some sort barely paid any attention to them.  No one seemed to be in charge and these little ones did not seem to understand that this was supposed to be a fun place. No one was lining up to take them on rides or to share a funnel cake with them. The adults drank their Red Bull energy drinks, talked among themselves or watched their phones and every so often said “time to go”, as if they had somewhere better to be.  A few of the tables had some freebies for the kids to take – little cross necklaces or penny candy.  The kids hung around these tables as they decided which one to choose while the grownups who brought them did not bother to enthusiastically ooh and aah over the decision.  This was the total opposite of helicopter parents.  This felt more like the skies over the U.S. after 9/11 – not an engine, wing or blade in sight.

I wondered where these children were going home to and if at some point, they would pick up on the vibe that possibly they were not priority #1. I also wondered if there was any faith practiced in the home.  I know we are admonished not to judge others, yet if we look around and think mind your own business and everything is fine, would any prayers be said for anyone?  Would help be offered for those in need if we did not discern that they in fact were in need? If I am wrong, hopefully the Holy Spirit will re-align my thinking. In the meantime, I am going to pray for one little girl in particular.  I heard her name being called as she roamed from table to table, seemingly unsure as to what was going on. No one was holding her hand.  No one was lifting her up to see the Ferris wheel in the sky. No one was smiling with her. Not a giggle escaped her face.  I have decided that since I pray for the unborn every day, I need to add to these petitions all those children who are born but are in need of maybe just a little bit more love and attention. I also will pray for their parents and guardians that they will realize their job is to be a shepherd to these little ones. And if that is being “judge-y” I am guilty on all counts.