Hi! My name is Amarah. Kids are important to me, and they’re important to Jesus, too.

In Matthew 18:10 (KJV), Jesus said, “Take heed that ye despise not (hurt or be mean to) one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”

“Kids like me” are kids whose parents are drug addicts, and alcoholics; kids who have suffered, or who are suffering, abuse and neglect on multiple levels; and kids who are victims of bullying.

Hey kids like me! This week we have Part 1 of the thoughts and feelings of a young mother regarding the fate of her friend who was recently arrested on drug charges:

It’s hard to know what to do, or what not to do. You don’t want to enable anyone, especially your best friend, to make the wrong choices. Yet, you love them and care for them so much all you want for them is joy, happiness and success. I have overcome my habits, my struggles, my weaknesses, and I will admit, no matter how much it pains me to say this, I used to look down on people who haven’t. I found myself having a hard time sympathizing with anyone else that is in her current situation - everyone, except for her.

As of today, I don’t know exactly which jail she is in, or which one she is heading to. I look forward to the occasional, expensive conversations with her on a recorded telephone line. We quickly discuss the cases, and move on to reliving some better days, reminiscing on times our children have played together, or when we went on one of our ridiculous adventures.

Occasionally there will be laughter, but more times than not, there is a deep sadness in both of our voices. I send a weekly letter, reminding her that we all make mistakes, and to keep her head held high, as well as a few pictures that each of my children have colored for her, hoping it will bring a little light to a dark situation. I wonder if it helps her? Or does it just remind her of her three kids, going along with their everyday lives, more than likely oblivious to their mother’s current situation, shielded by three fathers who couldn’t care less.

I asked her, very plain and simply, “Why?” Her answer baffled me at first, but then really made me think. She explained how all of her children’s fathers have formed a team, and made it their daily goal to make her life hard. She has lost custody of all three of her babies in the past two years. With no legal requirements on her side, she was left to rely on the fathers for visitation rights. We can all guess how that worked out, right? She hasn’t been allowed to see her youngest daughter in over eight months. I do not believe it to be a coincidence that she started using again seven months ago.

First, it may seem as she was using her children as almost an excuse for making these decisions. But, I know this women, and more than likely, she would be clean and doing well in life if she had her family, if she had a reason to do well, and if she had hope. When the fathers yanked these babies out of her life, and did nothing but put her down, she ran to the one thing that she knew would bring her up, regardless of the consequences. She needed a friend when everyone else turned their backs to her. Maybe if she had support then, she wouldn’t be facing this now.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week. Thank you for reading my column. Please send questions or comments to me in care of the Courier, [email protected] or write to me at Amarah’s Childrens Foundation “Kids Like Me” P.O. Box 354, Alamosa 81101, or call (719) 937-1033, leave a message, and someone will return your call. If you know a kid like me, or parent who is an addict, or alcoholic, please tell him or her about “Amarah’s Corner, Kids Like Me” in the Valley Courier newspaper and tell them to contact me, or you can contact me on their behalf. And, if you know a kid like me, or parent, who does not have a Bible, but would like to have one, please, contact me and I will make sure he or she gets a Bible of their very own, “…and all the earth may know there is a God…” (1 Samuel 17:46, KJV).

My goal is to help kids like me, and I want to help their parents, too. Until next time, remember, Jesus Loves You, and JESUS IS LORD!