As parents, we love our children and want to do the best for them. At times, however, the pressures of living
every day create stress and distractions for all of us. We can easily fall into communication habits that are not effective,
especially when we need to discipline our children or talk with them about sensitive issues.
If we can talk with our kids more effectively - if we can find ways to understand them better and get them
to really hear what we are trying to say - then we can work together to create more peaceful and satisfying relationships.
My
boys I love you dearly, more than you'll ever know. You've given me such joy my sons, my love with you shall go. I feel
you when your crying, my heart stings when your sad. I'll be there always to clean your wounds, or scold you when your
bad.
My thoughts are forever with you, whenever near or far. Good intentions only in my heart, your lives I'll never
scar. With this my sons I give to you my never ending love, my hopes, my dreams, my lifes desire to fill your lives
with love.
In Psalms we
read that children are an heritage from the Lord.I believe that God did not only give us children to teach them good values
and to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, but to teach us parents, about who he is and what He expects
of us.
Our children teach us about the unconditional love of God. Even when they make us angry or disappointed us terribly,
that doesn't stop us from loving them. We look at God and see that even when we fall short of his expectations, he still loves
us with an everlasting love.
I have two children
a daughter and a son that I have tried to raise with both a spirit of service and of independence. In wanting to pass to them
ideals that I have found to be the most valuable in my life I came up with these four statements.
1. God first, you
last Put the purpose of God first in your life. To recognize that you are designed uniquely suited for a spectacular life
but it must be lead by God. Putting God first is the only way to recieve the full grace and fullfillment of the life that
God has planned for you.
2. Carry your own water This is more than just doing your share, it includes taking responsibility
for your life. To not burden others unnecessarily in the provisions for your existence. Take seriously the need for good stewardship
and maturity.
3. Take your hits Don't run away from your problems or seek to avoid either the rewards or costs of
your actions. Be proud of what you are able to achieve and be repentant for those acts that are destructive. Don't take responsibility
for the actions of others.
4. Kill the Bear In life there are problems and challenges, they are meant to be overcome
and defeated. It is true there are times to run away from dangers, but most often you have to accept going forward means you
are going to have to vanquish them.
I suppose I could add to this list, in fact I know I could add a lot to this
list. But the spirit of these four things are at the heart of what I believe makes the difference in a life of success and
a life of defeat. I tell these things to my children often because anything worth keeping is worth keeping close by.
This site dedicated to the memory of my earthly father and In Service to my Heavenly Father
This site also dedicated to the memories of my 2 sisters and nephew who have gone before me
