It almost seems silly to think that we need to be trained and taught to love our children. Doesnt that come naturally? Isnt it instinct? How can you teach someone to love someone else anyway?
As women, we were created to nurture -whether we bear children or not, that is part of our created purpose. So the desire and even the ability to be nurturers is within each woman. The understanding of how to "love their children" is something else altogether. It isnt just a matter of "warm fuzzies" and showing affection all the time. If we truly love our children, we want the best for them and that sometimes involves training and discipline that doesnt always feel so good.
This one entry will not begin to discuss all the aspects that are involved with training and disciplining our children but something happened today that made me stop and think...
Do I love my children enough to drop everything and attend to them?
We have been dealing with attitudes and the way we react to situations that upset us the past few days. With 4 children between 4mos and almost-12 years, there is a wide range of understanding and expectations in that regard but the biggest issues have been whining and screaming. (Did I mention that one is a 2 year old "all boy"?! It was time for "boot camp
" and a refresher for the older ones.) The past several mornings our devotion and Bible time has included a reminder of the expectations as well as the consequences should the choose to disobey. This morning was no different in that regards. The difference was that we had to be out the door for an appointment and the house was hectic. As I was in the bathroom, head over the tub washing my hair, I hear the 2 year old running down the hall towards my (locked) bedroom door -screaming all the way. My thoughts were as follows (and pretty much in this order)...
I dont have time to deal with this.
He's not bleeding and nothing is broken I am sure.
But I just put the shampoo in my hair!
Just this one time I'll pretend I dont hear him.
Maybe (the oldest) will deal with him.
Yeah, I know its my job but...
(Then I "heard": Do you love him enough?)
Ok... Im going...
I grabbed the towel and wrapped my still-shampoo-covered hair in it and went to my son. He needed my correction and discipline. I didnt want to stop washing my hair and I didnt want to make us even later that we already were but I had to address his needs first. And training and discipline is indeed a need for our children.
Do you love your children enough to drop everything to address their need for correction and discipline? Their very souls depend on it.
A few very inexpensive books on child training that I recommend:
Also:
Posts
I totally agree with this, Katie. I have four nearly grown kids of my own, and I thank God for His promises in Scripture about the benefits of quick discipline, in faith and love---and the consequences of the neglect of it.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy, as we are selfish beings by nature, but it sure reinforces the need for a healthy fear of the Lord! He loves our kids so much more than we, and knows what's best for them! We need only to realize and acknowledge they ultimately belong to Him, and we are to be His stewards, caring for them but for a moment---into eternity. See "ChristianHealthOnline" @ Christian Chirp.
Excellent. Way to go, Mommy! That's a very difficult thing to do.....to lay our own needs aside to love our children. I love all the material you posted and my very favorite is: www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com. I think you'll love it to, if you haven't already checked it out. It's right in line with your post.:)
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day and thank you for sharing.:)