What Are You Depositing?

              I think this quote from Pastor Charles Swindoll is so true!  As parents, we must remember that we are constantly making memories with our children.  What are you depositing in their memory banks?

            How often do you spend time with your children? Whether it is eating a meal with them, driving them to school or an activity, or reading bedtime stories to them, we spend quite a bit of time with them so we should be cognizant of the fact that we are depositing into their lives each and every moment that we are together.  And, being together includes not only physical presence, but also via the phone or internet.  

What are we depositing into their memories?  What will they remember of us?  What will they learn from us?  These are all very important questions that we should ask ourselves on a regular basis. 

If we think that we only deposit into their memories on special occasions, we are wrong.  Of course, special occasions are important, but it is our everyday deposits that will last the longest in their memories. 

I have adult children now and I still try diligently to continue to make good deposits into their memory banks.   And, I will continue to do that as long as I have breath!  Let’s continue to give our children, young or old, precious memories to remember!

Teaching Your Children about a Gentle Answer

A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV

As parents, we often struggle when our children are arguing among each other.  When angry words are said, the typical reaction of a child is to lash back, and then the argument escalates.  Proverbs 15:1 is an important verse for children to learn and understand. 

          In an online article, author Felicia Mollohan discusses this verse and how she has been successful in teaching children about it.  She actively asked questions, to encourage children to think for themselves and come up with answers and then they discussed the answers.  Here are the questions she posed:

• What does it mean to have a gentle answer?

• Give me an example of a gentle answer?

• What does wrath mean? Are there other words that are synonyms (mean the same) with “wrath”?

• What are some things that make you really angry? How do you respond to those things?

• Do you respond with a gentle answer?

• What does it mean to have a harsh word?

• What does it mean to “stir up anger”? Do I need a spoon for that?

• How does this all work together?

With young children, you can use stuffed animals to illustrate the discussion.  That way, they can get a better understanding.  With older children, you can have them play roles – one is angry and says something that is hurtful and the other one responds with a gentle answer. 

Learning how to respond gently when someone is angry or how to not respond with harshness takes a lot self-discipline.  It is best to develop these abilities within the family, as there will be a lot of opportunities to practice.  When your children face the outside world, they will be better equipped to handle anger from others.

To read the entire article and for more references for games to play to help children learn, visit:

https://ministry-to-children.com/a-gentle-answer-proverbs-151-for-kids-and-adults/

https://catsinthecradle.blog/2017/05/08/a-soft-answer-activity-proverbs-151/

As Christians, We are Called to Pray for our Leaders

As the day for our major political elections draws near, Christians, more than ever, are encouraged to pray for all those in authority over us.  In 1 Tim. 2:1-2, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that praying for those in leadership enables us to live a quiet and peaceable life.  Moreover, verse 3 provides that it is good and pleasing to God for us to do this.

            As most people, I am so displeased with the constant criticism and personal attacks made against those in governmental leadership positions.  It really saddens me to hear and see this happening! 

            Christians must rise up and do what we are called to do – pray!  There is no doubt that prayer can and does change things.  Let us pray individually and collectively for our country and leaders. 

The Ability to Read Brings True Freedom!

As parents, we should be constantly searching for good role models for our children - those in modern times and those in our history.  I would like to dedicate this blog post to the great African American statesman Frederick Douglass who taught himself to read and write.  He went from being a slave to being a newspaper publisher and revered leader for the abolitionists and rights of women because he could read, write, and speak well. 

Douglass is quoted as saying “What is possible for me is possible for you.” It is so important that we teach our children this! Despite some of the worst adversities possible, he overcame them and so can they. 

Never underestimate the power of reading!

To read more about the amazing life of Douglass, please visit:

http://www.frederickdouglass.org/douglass_bio.html

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1539.html