It was a canvas of colors and hues forming shapes and emotions... or was it more?

It was Tuesday morning at the local community college art class. Students previously had been asked to paint animals, nature, city scenes and even a nude model. But today, they had a different assignment. Today, this class of twelve would create their perception of the future family. Wow! What an undertaking. As this was a mid-term project, they had two class sessions to complete the assignment. Mr. Burrows was their instructor and often opted to challenge their minds in addition to their creative talent.

Time passed, and it was then end of the second session. As usual, each student was asked to sign and submit their canvas. Mr. Burrows briefly looked at the young artist's efforts. There was the family being watched by the big brother all seeing eye, and another of a family living in poverty. He understood their statements. Then there was Larry who did a sci-fi family in some sort of flying machine contraption. He smiled, IT reminded him of the Jetsons cartoons, when he was a kid. That was typical of how Larry's mind worked. Then there was Jenny, who depicted families joining hands and expressing freedom and protection. And there was even an umbrella over them. He wondered what that meant.

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But there was one that rally caught his attention.

Ben had submitted an empty canvas, except for his signature and the words "My Perception of the future family." How odd. But wait...attached was a note that read:

Professor Burrows,

As you see, my canvas is empty, void of any color or brush strokes. My submission is a statement on the condition of the family. It is my belief that the family, as we know it, will cease to exist in the future, and is more endangered than any living species on this earth.

Since the 1990's, Child Protective Services has been terrorizing families and tearing them apart. I can speak on this personally, as years ago we got a knock on the door from this government woman who was from the CPS. She asked my mom a bunch of questions, writing notes and returning a few weeks later to take me and my sister Karen. We did not want to go with this stranger but were forced to. My .mama cried when it happened.

Oh yeah, the judge heard the case. But it was rigged from the start and the judge ignored my mama's tears and pleas. I will never know why.

They put us in foster care and shuffled us around from home to home. I eventually got street smart and learned to survive. But Karen was eventually trafficked out for child sex or something. I don't think she is even still alive.

There are so many children who get kidnapped and trafficked by the system. Many are abused physically and emotionally by strangers. Sone end up on the streets like I was. Others land in prison or even... dead. But too many never know again what family is. Too many get lost in a faceless world.

You see Professor Burrows, families are being torn apart and destroyed. So how can I paint a picture of color and hope, when too many people feel hopeless? This is my picture and statement on the future family, which for many is their present nightmare.

Ben

Mr. Burrows had no idea of the CPS or the horror families went through. After speaking with a few friend later that evening, he learned about the silent war on families. He was told how daddy government had replaced papa bear, how abortion was used to depopulate and weaken the family, and how the CPS was stalking and stealing children, only to make money in trafficking. Wow! It was becoming clear... and the picture was horrific.

Waking to the true condition of things is overwhelming. Now Mr. Borrows understood the importance of that umbrella of protection that Jenny had painted in her picture.

Both Jenny and Ben received an A for their efforts. But before giving back those canvases, Mr. Burrows had interactive conversation with his class.

Each of you came to this class with a different perspective of the family. Some were happy and hopeful while others were tragic but truthful. It has come to my attention, that the family is in a war for survival. Look around you. Many of you come from a single parent home. You may even know someone who has been trafficked as a child or may have fallen through the cracks of the system. It is up to us to be their umbrella of protection and safety, unified together.

Each of you are a canvas, that together, contributes to the tapestry and painting of the world. How will you color your canvas and how will it compliment others? Wil you use the brushstrokes of love and protection? How will you help create a world where all families are safe and free?

It's more than a canvas of brushstrokes... it's our love.

Thanks for listening. Feel free to comment, upvote or repost.