Give up...your expectations. Each child has certain propensities and interests – physical abilities such as sports, various arts, music, skills, hobbies and other leanings. Humility will let go of selfish expectations and allow the child to pursue the giftedness God has created in him. (Philippians 2: 4)
Honor...your vows to love, honor, respect and submit to the father of your child – your husband. A mark of humility is respect toward those who God gives to lead. If you expect your child to love, respect and honor his God-given authority, then you must love, respect and honor yours. Little ears and eyes observe. (I Peter 3:3-6; Ephesians 5:22-23, 33; Titus 2:4)
Imitate...your Heavenly Father. Be childlike before Him, so that you can emulate Him in love, kindness, patience, joyfulness and sacrifice before your child. By becoming like a child with your Heavenly Father, you will learn from the first and best father how to parent the children He has given you. (Matthew 18:4; Ephesians 5:1-2)
Judge...yourself rightly before the Lord. Confess your sin to Him and, if applicable, ask your child to forgive you. Unconfessed sin cherished in your heart becomes a stumbling block of God’s grace in your child’s life. (1 Corinthians 11:31-32; James 5:16; I John 1:9-10)
Keep...your home in order. In doing so, you are regarding others as more important than yourself, looking to their needs. But don’t obsess over it, like Martha did. At that point it has become an idol. Remember that people live in your home and they make messes, especially little people. Some quotes about housekeeping: “Your house should be clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy.” “Housework is something you do that nobody notices until you don't do it.” “Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.” “We labor to make a house a home, then every time we're expecting visitors, we rush to turn it back into a house.” “I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.” (Proverbs 31:27; Philippians 2:3-4; Titus 2:5)
Love... your child. Learn how to love him by sitting at Jesus’ feet and abiding in His love. When you sit at His feet in adoration, you will be transformed by His love for you and, like a mirror reflects light, you will return Christ’s love to Him. When you love Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, you will become more and more like Him. The more you are like Christ, the more you will love others, especially those who God has specifically given to you to love. Charles Spurgeon said, “You cannot love a thing without becoming something like it in proportion to the force of love. And just in proportion as you love Jesus, you must become like Him.” (Matthew 22:37-39; John 13:34; II Corinthians 3:18)Laugh...with your child. Take pleasure in him, play with him, laugh with him and let him know that he has bought much joy into your life. Laughing leaves little room for anger, so laugh over spilled milk. “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
Copyright Sharon Kaufman 2007/2010Laugh... at yourself. Some quotes that illustrate this happy idea: "Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, for they will never cease to be amused." (Unknown) "One out of four people in this country is mentally unbalanced. Think of your three closest friends ~ if they seem okay, then you're the one." (Ann Landers) "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly." (G.K. Chesterton) “Your burden is lightened when you laugh at yourself.” “Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks.” “Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can.” “If you can't laugh at yourself, life's going to be very tedious and unpleasant.” (Genesis 21:6; Ecclesiastes 9:7-9)
Tomorrow, letters M through S will be posted. Please come back to learn this very important alphabet. Newer Post Older Post
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Jesus Christ has been my Savior since 1975. Robert, the wonderful man that
God provided to love me has been my husband for 48 of those years. We have five grown children, with children of their own. Of course, that means that we have grandchildren - ten to be exact, and nine great-grandchildren with another one on the way. I have been a stay-at-home mom, sometimes helping to supplement the income from within the home. Now I am a stay-at-home grandmother. Jesus Christ has been my guide and keeper and I have found, in all the trials, heartbreaks and good times that He just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter as the years roll by. My future is secure and I look forward to eternity in the presence of my Creator, Redeemer and King.
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