ABC's

Children Are...

Amazing - acknowledge them

Believable - trust them

Childlike - allow them

Divine - honor them

Energetic - nourish them

Fallible - embrace them

Gifts - treasure them

Here Now - be with them

Innocent - delight with them

Joyful - appreciate them

Kindhearted - learn from them

Loveable - cherish them

Magical - fly with them

Noble - esteem them

Open Minded - respect them

Precious - value them

Questioners - encourage them

Resourceful - support them

Spotaneous - enjoy them

Telented - believe in them

Unique - affirm them

Vulnerable - protect them

Whole - recognize them

Xtraspecial - celebrate them

Yearning - notice them

Zany - laugh with them

What my Mom taught me

What my mom taught me about being a mom (even if she didn't know it)

*When they cry... kiss them

*When they are afraid... hold them

*When they speak... listen

*When they ask... answer

*Let them explore... dirt washes off

*When you say 'please' & 'thank you' to them... they will say it to you

*Silly is a good thing to be

*Always do the right thing... even when nobody is looking

*There are many crises in the world... food on the floor isn't one of them

*Faith opens many doors

*Love never fails

Trials 🌾

Life on earth would not be worth much if every irritation were removed. Yet most of us reject the things that irritate us, and count as loss what ought to be gain.

The oyster is wise... when an irritating object, like a bit of sand, gets under his shell, he simply covers it with the most precious part of his being and makes it a pearl. The irritation that it was causing is stopped by encrusting it with a pearly formation. A true pearl is therefore a simple victory over an irritation.

Trials are always about our future, because they are linked to what the Lord is working out in us, so that we will be prepared for the task He has for us to accomplish. When we do go through the trials and tribulations of life, we can always be assured that our heavenly Father will weave the results into something good, using the irritations of those situations into spiritual pearls that will leave our spiritual legacy (Romans 8:28-29).

Trials develop godly character, and that enables us to rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:3-5).

Jesus Christ set the perfect example. Persevering proves our faith.

Am I setting that kind of example?

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.”
― Margaret Mead

My children are the greatest gift God will ever give to me, and their souls the heaviest responsibility He will place in my hands. So I have to take time with them, and teach them to have faith in God. Be a person that they can have faith in.

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

Lord guide me, instill in my heart tenderness and patience. Help me to love my children with a teaching heart not a condemning one. Purify and protect me. Give me strength and wisdom.