How are your children known?

      How do we know the true nature of a person?  Typically, it is by the person’s words and actions.  The same is true for children.  Proverbs 20:11 shows us that a child reveals himself to us by his acts.  Your children’s behaviors will manifest to you their true character.  Are you observing them closely?

      Another version of this verse in Proverbs is The Passion Translation: “All children show what they’re really like by how they act.  You can discern their character, whether they are pure or perverse.” When children are young is the critical time to mold their character.  If you catch a child telling a lie, you should address that behavior right away.  Many people do not, but instead believe that the child who tells a lie is being cute or funny.  If you catch a child taking something that does not belong to him, you should address that right away as well.  To allow a child to take something that is not his and keep it, is signaling to the child that it is acceptable to take what is not his.  Another objectionable behavior is hitting and bullying another child.  Aggressive physical behavior can start from a young age and should never be tolerated.

       There are many other instances of behavior that parents and other adults in the lives of children should not ignore or condone.  It starts from young too.  Being diligent in observing our children’s behavior and taking quick corrective action is vital to our children’s well-being.

At the website calvarychapeljonesboro.org, there is the following commentary on this verse that I would like to share:

A child needs is to be trained that God's Word is what determines what is pure and right.  Then the child needs to be trained in how to walk in this world in a way that pleases and honors the Lord.  Oh, what a blessing such a child is to the world around him when he or she is trained in this manner.  Oh, what blessings will surround and flow forth from such a child.

To read the entire commentary please visit:

https://www.calvarychapeljonesboro.org/proverb-a-day/how-to-have-your-child-stand-out-from-the-rest-proverbs-2011

Character Building Books for Children!

I have been recommending books for children to read this summer and another two that would be motivating for your children are by Lisa Wiehebrink.  Lisa established the nonprofit foundation Tails That Teach to promote character building in children, including taking good care of their pets, and literacy.  Her focus is children ages 5 -8 years old.

Her books Love Me Gently – A Kid’s Guide for Man’s Best Friend and Gray Whiskers – A Kid’s Guide for Loved Ones Growing Older are about a boy and his rescue dog’s journeys toward patience, compassion, kindness, and empathy.  Her book Love Me Gently has won awards, including the 2020 Purple Dragonfly Award and from PETA.

        Lisa partners with elementary schools and animal organizations all over the US to teach humane education, using her books as teaching tools. She is also the founder of National Rescue Dog Day, celebrated on May 28 annually, which was established primarily to bring attention to all the dogs that are available in shelters for adoption. 

On the website, Lisa explains why she has dedicated her work to this cause:

When children are taught to be kind to animals, the ripple effects are boundless and they are less likely to abuse a pet or bully a classmate. Teaching kids to properly care for pets helps them grow up to be compassionate adults and responsible pet owners.

         Lisa was an inspiring guest on my podcast Be Convinced! Sharing Lifechanging Stories of Hope. The podcast, episode #28, is available at sorayadiasecoffelt.com. She shares how it all began when she observed a small child at the park playing roughly with a dog; why she wrote the books; and how she is dedicated to promoting character building and humane education. You will certainly enjoy listening to her share her story of hope!

For more information and to purchase her books, please visit www.tailsthatteach.org.

How Should Christian Parents Respond to Bullying?

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Now that our children are back to school and settled in, I would like to discuss a subject that seems to be increasing in frequency – bullying.  As Christian parents, how are we to handle bullying, whether our children are being bullied or are the bullies or are the persons standing by watching or video-taping the bullying?  This is a challenging and complicated subject because as Christians, we immediately think about Jesus telling us to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39).

But is that really what the Bible instructs us to do?

The following incident just recently occurred at a high school.  A teenage student walked off the campus and was pursued by another student, who kept verbally taunting him.  The victim hung his head and did not respond to the constant taunts.  The bully caught up to the victim and hit him in the jaw, breaking it.  There were other students who were standing around watching and some were even video-taping the incident with their cell phones.  Adults passed by in vehicles.  No one did anything to intervene and stop the violence.  It was only when one of the videos was posted on the internet, did the community find out about what happened. My heart ached as a mother to hear about this victimization and brutality.

Bullying is too difficult a subject to fully address in a short blog, but there are a number of helpful websites.  I especially encourage parents to visit and read the information on THIS WEBSITE.  One of the leading experts on bullying is Paul Coughlin, the founder of The Protectors, an anti-bullying movement, whose own daughter was bullied.  Mr. Coughlin helps parents learn about bullying and teaches what they can do, in turn, to help their children.  He calls it “bully-proofing” your children.

Bullying can be very devastating to children.  Prepare yourself and your children for it so no one is caught by surprise if and when it does happen.