We all know how important it is to encourage our children. Children often thrive on our genuine comments of "Good job!" and "You are so creative!"
But I was challenged this past week to encourage my children, not just to help them "feel good" about what they have done, but to help them recoognize that God, their Father and Creator, has given them talents and abilities to glorify Himself.
This concept has really made me reasses how I speak to my children this week. My daughter, who loves to sing, is always making up new songs. In the past I have said to her "You have a lovely voice" or "You are very creative in the way you make new songs", but this week I have taken it just one step farther and said to her "I look forward to seeing how you will serve the Lord with your lovely voice or creative songs".
We have been created to glorify God and to bring about God's kingdom. Our children need to learn, even as young as they are, that they have purpose!
11:57 PM, Saturday, October 20, 2007
.. Posted by Jaynee
I haven't been online at all this week until now, and so I enjoyed catching up on your recent posts. I'm so thankful to being feeling so much better from my morning sickness...the Lord is so gracious.
I LOVE the hats and sweaters you knitted! Do you sell them? My hubby would think I was crazy for wanting them since where we live it is like 90 degrees in the day, but it will get colder...well, colder is a strong word...cooler would be more appropriate :) But the mornings are in the 50's and will drop the the 40's by winter :)
Hope you have a great upcoming week in Jesus!
How True
9:47 AM, Wednesday, October 24, 2007
.. Posted by authorDonna
I grew up with the constant sound of compliments over my voice and music ability. It began to be my identity. When I found someone better, I suffered jealousy because it threatened who I was. You are so wise to recognize the need to define gifts as something that comes from God for the purpose of glorifying God. I now have my identity in Christ so I am a Christian who sings, plays, writes for God. I also had to learn that God supplied me with my gift and I have no business comparing myself to others. That dissolved jealousy because I understand that God has a purpose for my gifts and no one else can fulfill that purpose but me. Blessings.
Donna Fawcett
Author of Thriving in the Home School
Donna Dawson
Author of Redeemed and The Adam & Eve Project
Word Alive Press' top eight author 2007
www.authordonnadawson.com
