A. Appreciate Our Children as Blessings from God.
Genesis 33:5 - Jacob stated that God had graciously given him his children. Is this how we feel? Some people obviously don't appreciate their children. They abuse them, desert them, leave them to die, give them away, or murder them before they are even born.
Psalm 127:3-5 - Children are a heritage from the Lord. A man who has his quiver full is a happy man. Yet some act like caring for children is unbearable drudgery. We grumble and complain every time we have to do something for them.
Psalm 128:3,4 - Children around our table are a blessing from God. We need to improve our attitude toward children. Let there be no "unwanted children," not because we have murdered them as pro-abortion advocates suggest, but because we have learned to love and appreciate them (Titus 2:4).
How often do you really thank God for your children? Do you consider them a blessing or a burden? Do you act like you appreciate them?
B. Show Affection by Words and by Physical Contact.
Deep emotional needs are met for children when their parents say they love them and then show that they really mean it.
Fathers especially need to learn to express love.
Men tend to think it is effeminate to show love. This was another of my mistakes.
My father was not particularly affectionate. His mother died when he was young and he grew up living with other families. The most affection I remember him showing when I was little was "whiskering" me. As a teenager, I did not want to show affection for others.
Karen's family is affectionate. They hug when they greet and say goodbye. Sometimes the women cry. It took a while, but I now know their way is best.
Every person has a fundamental need for security and a sense of belonging and closeness. If this need isn't met in the home, children will seek it elsewhere such as among peers. Boys may join gangs. Girls may become sexually promiscuous to find acceptance from a guy.
Parents, hug and kiss your kids. Tell them you love them.
Do it often every day! This includes your teenage boys!
* Is our Heavenly Father an example of a good father? He frequently assures us, both by deed and by word, that He loves us.
* Genesis 33:4 - When the brothers Jacob and Esau met after a long separation, they embraced, kissed, and wept.
* Genesis 45:15; 46:29 - After long separation Joseph embraced, kissed, and wept with his brothers and then his father.
* Genesis 48:10 - Jacob kissed and embraced Joseph's sons.
* 1 Kings 19:20 - As a grown man Elisha kissed his father and mother goodbye.
* Luke 15:20 - When the prodigal son returned, his father embraced and kissed him.
* Romans 12:15 - Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Surely that applies in the home.
Are these examples somehow unmanly? Is this "corny"? Is it "mush" as Grumpy says in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? No, it meets a basic need.
The superintendent of a home for juvenile delinquents said, "Love is a major need of these boys. Their parents will give them a car, but won't say, 'I love you.'" (Webb, p. 125) Some families meet physical needs but neglect emotional needs.
Families should learn to be affectionate both in words and in touch. It begins with snuggling and holding the babies and nursing babies the natural way when possible. As they grow it may include hugging and embracing, telling them we love them, putting an arm around them, holding hands during prayer, having group hugs, and sympathizing with one another in times of trouble and rejoicing together in times of happiness. It includes remembering special days (birthdays, anniversaries) and giving gifts.
People need a sense of security, belonging, and closeness, as well as physical needs. These needs should be met in the home. Whose duty is it to take the lead to see that family needs are met? It is the father's duty as the leader and provider.
If your parents were not affectionate, you can and should change it in your family. This affection should include all the family members, including the men and boys. Should your family learn to be more affectionate?
[Gen. 27:26,27; Ex. 4:27; 18:7;
Reassurances of love are also especially important after we have punished a child.
It is important for a child to understand that we are not rejecting him, but we object to his conduct. This becomes clear if, after punishing the child, we take time to hold him on our lap, talk to him, and then include him in other activities. Don't make him feel an outcast, but assure him of forgiveness (provided he is truly penitent).
We only have our children for such a short time.
Won't it be a shame if, in our old age, we must look back with regret because our children have grown and left before we took the time to show them that we care? Let us live now so that we won't have that regret later.
"Home"
by Edgar Guest
Home ain't a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;Afore it's home there's got t' be a heap o' livin' in it;Within the walls there's got t' be some babies born, and thenRight there ye've got t' bring 'em up t' women good, an' men;And gradjerly, as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn't partWith anything they ever used - they've grown into yer heart:The old high chair, the playthings, too, the little shoes they woreYe hoard; an' if ye could ye'd keep the thumbmarks on the door.
Conclusion
1 Corinthians 13:13 - Now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Is your family characterized by love? Surely love is a key element in raising godly children.
No comments:
Post a Comment