CHILDREN OF TODAY & TOMORROW

Earlier this month in the news, a father who was distraught over the end of his six year relationship, hung his two children to get back at their mother. What did his children do to him to deserve such a cruel death? As much as they drive us crazy, "cause water under our hearts" or temp us to jump through windows, they're not that bad. Nothing warrants the cruelty that adults inflict upon them. Children are just the result of our nurturing, mirrors of our behavior and products of our environment. If they curse, it's because they hear us cursing, if they're selfish it's because we're selfish, if they're violent it's because we expose them to violence.

Children are truly a blessing. For those that want to make it to heaven, Jesus says that we must become like little children. They have character traits that we should follow. This month's blog focuses on these precious ones that God has blessed us with. Let us endeavor to nurture them for His glory. Some are blessed with one, two or twenty and some have none. Even if you don't have any children, you still have a responsibility to nurture those with whom you have influence and not to injure them. Otherwise it'll be better that a millstone be tied around your neck and you be thrown into the midst of the sea (don't get mad at me, I'm just the messenger).

Freedom of Choice for Children

• With each child, I increased in wisdom. Each successive child received more of something I never had as a child—Freedom of thought. In simple things like meals, I had no options. I had to eat whatever was placed before me. The only options were either to eat with or without “lix” (a spanking or a beating in most cultures).

• Today, I'm learning how a little freedom of thought can be so beneficial for a child’s self esteem. As parents, our responsibility is not the think for our children, but to guide them as they figure out life for themselves. We have to teach them to make right decisions, yet we should not be quick to shield them the the consequences of their decisions.

• Too often, especially in authoritarian cultures, children are discouraged and most often punished for having ideas independent of their parents. This does a great disservice to children and ultimately cripples them for the challenges they'll inevitably face in life.
  

What my Toddlers Taught me about Marriage

1. Keep asking for what you want; Eventually you won’t have to repeat what you like or how you like it
2. Submission is easier when given willingly rather than forced
3. A genuine smile will most oftentimes yield a smile in return
4. Give loving and sincere affection even after being hurt, disappointed or offended; It’s the best display of forgiveness


Spirituality for Children

Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) has wholesome programming for the young and the young at heart. Their shows for children capture the interests of toddlers and preschoolers. Take a moment to browse their schedule, look up recipes or watch online at http://3abn.org/

5:00pm (EST) - Tiny Tots for Jesus

5:30pm (EST) - Kids Time