08/05/2020
Wether we realize it or not our children are a reflection of us. Children learn more by what they see than by what you tell them. That was one reason Jesus came to earth. He needed to show his children how to live the everyday life. How to love others no matter what they do to us. How to interact with all kinds of people. Not just the ones that look like or act like us.
If you want your children to have mercy then you must sow mercy into them and others. If you want them to have a gentle spirit then you must model that before them. They are a reflection of what they see. If your children are not behaving the way you like ask God for guidance.
Just like the Good Father disciplines us, our children need discipline. Without discipline and boundaries children do not feel safe. They like us need rules and instructions. The Bible says to train them in the way they should go. Hint! They don't come trained. That is our job to do. It takes a lot of patience. You don't have patience? Well the Word says that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us.
The Word gives us instructions about raising our children. It tells us to speak the Word over them as we go about our day. It tells us that sometimes we need to s***k them. I do not believe we should abuse our children. Either with our words or actions. There is a proper way to s***k a child. If it doesn't break your heart to do it, then you should not do it. Never ever do it when your angry. Always explain to the child why they are being disciplined. After the discipline instruct them why, what they did does not please the Father. Ask them what they could have done instead of acting out as they did. Pray with them for forgiveness. Then hug them and let them know how much you love them. Don't bring up the infraction once the prayer of forgiveness is done. We don't want to be reminded of our past. God says when we ask for forgiveness that He removes that as far as the east is as the west. If we continue to remind them they will not learn true forgiveness. In stead they will learn to be critical of others.. They will not want to run to the Father when they have sinned. Instead they will want to hid away. For many years I thought God was just waiting for me to mess up so He could strike me with lightening. He is a loving and merciful Father who also disciplines His children when they need to be disciplined.
Children believe what you tell them. We need to speak healthy words to your children. Tell them they are Brave, tell them they are Bold, tell them they are mighty warriors for God. I have heard people speak negative things over their children and it hurts my heart because I know it is hurting theirs. Things like you are bad, you are ugly you are stupid. I have counseled many adults that are still dealing with the negative words that were spoke over them as children. They have a very hard time overcoming those negative words. I play a little memory game of positive words with my granddaughters. You can do the same with the boys. I start with the younger ones and give the two positive characteristics to repeat. Example. I am Brave and I am Strong. Then every few days add a word. You can customize these words to the child. If you see that they are acting out in a negative way start telling them the words that you want to see. If they are being unkind, then have the add, I am Kind. What you are doing is planting seeds that you want to see grow in their life. To me this is what the Bible refers to when it tells us to speak life not death. What we tell them they will believe. What seeds are you planting in your children. You are forming tomorrows adults. Our future is in your hands.
We should be the kind of parent God the Father is to us. He never loses His patience with us. He is firm yet loving kind and merciful and full of grace. Even when we are being disciplined we know that He loves us.
