There Came A Child
Insights Into Christian Childcare
by
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“Merle Roehr is an ordinary man that God has used in some extraordinary ways. Writing out of a servant heart, Merle reflects on his years as a house parent in Christian childcare. Those who read it will know his heart.......... a series of stories and lessons, from a veteran of doing what God calls “pure and undefiled religion.” Harold Shank, National Spokesperson for Christian Child Care
“In reading this book, you will walk in the shoes of a man who has dedicated his life to the ministry of raising children. Whether you are raising birth children or raising children as a ministry, Merle's insights will impact your parenting decisions.” Beth Robinson, Ed. D. Assistant Provost, Lubbock Christian University
Childcare is the hardest work you could ever love to do. I really mean this; I am in love with this work. I am in love with the children; it is as if they are my own. There are times that I agonize over the problems and the challenges they face. It is sometimes grueling and thankless work. There are times when I have thought that no one cared, except my family and me. I am wrong you know. This is where the book “There Came A Child” has come from. It is my wish that others find that there is a need for this work and that it is for God. Children are precious in God's sight. They should be in ours. Their soul is even more precious. ( Psalms 127:3-5, Mark 10:13-14, Matthew 18:5-6)
The Rescue
I saw him sitting in that old cedar brush. It seemed as though his world was crushed.
Although the sun was bright and bold. The little boy's face was gray and cold.
You could tell the little boy was there in hurt. By all the tears there in the dirt.
I approach him just as quiet as I can. He's like a pup, been kicked around. I talk to him softly as an ol' cowboy can, but from his lips came not a sound.
I have nothing to give `cept my horse and dog. But they're his to have for only a nod.
I gently lift him over my head. I set him up there on top of ol' red.
There in the saddle, with his first big ol' smile. I believe you could see it for over a mile.
I never knew his maw or his paw. They never did show, for even a call.
He spent growing days with me and my wife. Although some days were spent full of strife.
And when he's grown up, there'll be secrets come out. He had just been deserted, there was never a doubt.
There may be some things you never will hear. But remember the cause is only from his fear.
But there'll be one day the thanks will be yours if all had been given sincerely and pure. Merle Roehr A Cowboy's Thoughts
From chapter What's a life Worth?
She came to us that evening. We had been expecting her for three of four days....She stood in the door with a parent, silhouetted against the spring sky. She was there with long, stirred black hair; her dirty hands hung to her side with a bottle. There were tears steaming down her face, leaving clean streaks where they had trailed and fell on the one nasty blouse she had. She was less than three and had already experienced this before. I raised her face to speak to her, all I could see was that long lost look in those deep brown eyes. She was a beautiful child, but none of it had ever been let out. The best I could tell is that no one had ever cared...Her mother hugged her, said goodbye, and left. She was fear struck, weeping uncontrollably. To her there was no consolation. She was abandoned.
From chapter The Change (It's Not About Me)
I am selfish I like me I enjoy what I want I intend to be the central attraction. I want to receive the glory and reward. It seems that human nature is such; that we sometimes believe “I am the most important person in the universe.” This is a fairly general observation of society….I still struggle daily with this problem in every aspect of my life and in childcare. It seems each child needs something from you, on a continual basis. It's all about me; is the major problem of society today and the number one reason for the need of childcare. From chapter Building Good Memories
Shortly after taking the position in childcare, I was caught sleeping in the pickup on a Sunday afternoon. It was just as it would have been on the ranch at midday; it was a time to relax. One of the housefathers and a group of the younger boys were watching and laughing as my high-topped boots were dangling out the window where my feet were propped. I am supposing they had intended to scare me, but they were making far too much noise. I simply turned the table on them and sent them all running and laughing. The man and I continued in a visit. It was there that I found much to my enjoyment that they were excited to have a cowboy on staff. I was also taken back; they had been talking about an episode that they had experienced the week before, with me, and how much fun it had been. One had made the comment how he would remember it all of his life. Somewhere in the conversation I made the statement” I guessed making good memories was what it was all about. It is, the hardest work you'll ever love. I hope you will take advantage of what is written in this short book and gain courage. God is there for help, take it from an ol' cowboy turned into a house parent.
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About the Book
There Came A Child is a work of Christian childcare from a housefather’s point of view. It is especially for those who might wish to enter the profession, childcare, for the first time as house parents. It is to help understand the difficulties and rewards one might face. It takes dedication and determination to do the work. This book is to encourage everyone that as they got through those things that arise, there are others who have come through the same things and have learned to cope with them through God’s help.