In recent years both social observers and professionals who

work with children have come to tire startling conclusion

. that significant, somewhat disturbing changes in the nature

of childhood have somehow taken place. We see the effects of

These changes reflected in the lives and spirits of our children

every day.

"Hurrying" or "hothousing" children, for example, or the

disappearance or loss of childhood are all terms used to describe

these changes. Though analyzed and evaluated from a variety of

perspectives, there is general agreement on one fact--these

changes threaten childhood and, therefore, children as we have

come to understand them in the last century.

A casual observer might only say that children today seem so

much more grown up than when he or she was a child. What

they sense is true. Children do seem to grow up a lot faster these

days; they do seem to "put away childish things" a lot sooner than

their parents or grandparents.

In today s world there are at least three certainties: death, taxes,

and change. Change is a fact of life and childhood has not been

unaffected. But Christians who live in a close relationship with a

living, loving, sovereign God, a God who cares deeply about

children, need not be resigned to all change as inevitable and

immutable. We can pray, hope, and work for change of our own.

The gradual diminisbment of childhood has produced changes

that have resulted in more than just social or emotional losses to

children. There are real spiritual losses, also. Children are whole

people, people whose mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual