20 Ways to Bless Your Children Even More!
by Tonja Taylor 1.If you're wrong, admit it! Then apologize to them, ask their forgiveness, and ask them to pray with you while you admit to God before them that you were wrong and need His forgiveness. We had a jar we'd put change in, to be taken from when we'd misbehave (her money that really, we gave her, but when she'd have to get a quarter out of the jar for misbehavior (not often), I'd sigh and tell her I didn't want her to lose blessings. Then, I'd usually tell her to put it in the can she was using to collect money for the orphanage. I made her understand that her behavior needed improvement, but even though she messed up, she was forgiven when she was truly repentant, and that, because of grace, the money that was taken out of her hand went to help someone and that God was so good, He would reward her for giving! (What an amazing, WONDERFUL God we serve!!!) 7. If you child corrects your behavior, do not get offended. That child has obviously listened to you and you are hearing an echo of your own teaching! Little ears and hearts hear and receive much more than we understand sometimes--that's why it is VITAL to guard our little ones from the junk of the world as much as possible, while teaching that God created this world to be good, that there is an enemy that causes evil (but who is defeated!) and that the most exciting Person and Experience in the world is The LORD Jesus Christ! Sometimes, if I get news I don't like from her, or my husband, or another about her wrong behavior, I will know that I need to pray first before I say anything. If we're in the car, I will tell my daughter to be quiet while I turn up the praise music and pray in the Spirit. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will impress me to do something; sometimes He will speak through me. Sometimes I get into the flesh anyway and have to repent. That is much less than it used to be, but I am working to get to where I do not let emotions have their way, but I keep a calm, cool spirit. Often, especially in situations where her understanding is crucial, where it is a spiritual matter or challenge, the Holy Spirit just takes over from the start. Praise God for His ministry to us and through us! There have been times I've been amazed at what comes out of my mouth--like the time that my daughter, an anointed artist already, drew a picture that had many elements--and none of them honored God! God in me knew and brought to my mind that this was a spiritual challenge. He She was totally shocked; she even turned pale and didn't say a word. Nothing like this had ever happened before, because I had always praised her art, from the time she was old enough to hold a crayon and bring me "notes,"--pages of happy scribbles, sweet love words from her heart. I led her to ask God to forgive her and told her I forgave her, and reminded her that I was proud that she had and would (now) always use her gift of art for the glory of God. Then we proceeded with our day as usual. And nothing like that has or will happen again. Perspectives and training can sometimes vastly differ among children and adults, and from one person to another. Being careful to preserve unity among the families that surround my daughter, while not cowing or bowing to any pressure from anyone just because we did not agree on how to raise my daughter, has helped. Sometimes we all go to her events, and God gets the glory. Bless His name! 11. Call them on the phone 12. Write love notes and hide them 13. Buy or make them secret surprises 14. Tell them that you love to be seen with them/show them off and introduce them 15. Let them teach you something. My daughter came home one day and showed me "cat" in sign language and got me interested. Then she taught me the signs to "Awesome God" and now I sign it and other messages of love to Him, in church, at home, while walking, or other activities. 16. Don't let them get away with talking negatively about themselves. 17. Don't let them talk negatively about others. That is gossip and none of us are the judge. 18. Don't gossip about others to them. Make sure prayer requests are not gossip disguised as good. 19. Dedicate them to the LORD very early. You can do this just between you and your husband and the child and God at home, of course, but I felt led of the LORD to do it publicly. I chose special verses, and invited the family (some of whom had not been in church in years!), and the pastor had a special plaque and certificate made that we all signed. I also chose to do that on my first Mother's Day, when she was just three months old. It was a very special day! 20. Do special crafts with them. Kids (of all ages!) love to create. It is an enlightening, empowering experience, so let them experience it with you. My mother and daughter have created drawings together, where they both drew on the same piece of paper, and I treasure that. My daughter and I have also worked together to create stories and book ideas, and silly songs. Rewarding! Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |
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