Children

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn' t
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.



So Much Depends on You

"I got two A's," the small boy said.
His voice was filled with glee!
His father, very bluntly, said,
"Why didn't you get three?"
"Mom, I've got the dishes done,"
The girl called from the door.
Her mother, very calmly, said,
"Did you sweep the floor?"
"I mowed the grass," the tall boy said,
"And put the mower away."
His father asked him, with a shrug,
"Did you clean off the clay?"

The children, in the house next door,
Seemed happy and content
The same thing happened over there.
But, this is how it went:
"I got two A's," the young boy said.
His voice was filled with glee!
His father, proudly, said, "That’s great!
I'm glad you belong to me."
"Mom, I got the dishes done,"
The girl called from the door.
Her mother smiled and, softly, said,
"Each day, I love you more."
"I've mowed the grass," the tall boy said,
"And put the mower away."
His father answered, with much joy,
"You've made my happy day."
Children deserve a little praise
For tasks they're asked to do.
If they're to lead a happy life,
So much depends on you!
- Author Unknown -
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per Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107.



Isn't it interesting that children sometimes want to hide from their parents when they have done wrong? Perhaps they fear retribution, rejection or the pain of disappointments. Good parents recognize this and would still rather have their children approach them then hide from them. If good human parents think this way, how much more does our Heavenly Father want us to come running to Him regardless of the circumstances in our lives?



Psalm 55:17

Many children learn to count on their fingers,
But a nurse once taught a child to pray “on his fingers.
This was her method:

Your thumb is the digit nearest to your heart,
So pray first for those who are closest to you.

Your Own needs, of course, should be included, as well
as those of your beloved family and friends.

The second finger is the one used for pointing.
Pray for those who point you toward the truth,
whether at church or school.
Pray for your teachers, mentors, pastors, and those who inspire your faith.

The third finger is the tallest.
Let it stand for the
leaders in every sphere of life.
Pray for those in
authority both within the body of Christ and those
who hold office in various areas of government.

The fourth finger is the weakest, as every pianist knows.
Let it stand for those who are in trouble and
pain the sick, injured, abused, wounded, or hurt.

The little finger is the smallest.
Let it stand for those
who often go unnoticed,
including those who suffer
abuse and deprivation.

What a simple and wonderful reminder as we pray!
What a great tool to use in teaching children how to
pray for themselves and others.



A child's love is like a whisper, given in little ways we do not hear. But if you listen closely it will be very clear. They often do not say it loud, but in how they come to you... Daddy, will you play with me? Mommy, tie my shoe? The many ways they tell you, changes as they grow. Dad, I made the team today! Mom, I've Got to go! Pop, I need some money, You see there's... this girl at school. Mama, I met a boy today and Wow, he's so cool! Dad, I've got something to tell you... I think she is the one! Mom, he asked me to marry him. Would you love him as your son? Dad, I've got some news for you... It's going to be a boy! Mom, I'm kind of scared of this, yet I'm filled with joy! A child's love is like a whisper, given in little ways we do not hear. But if you listen closely, it will be very clear. They often do not say it loud, but in how they come to you... Grandpa, will you play with me? Grandma, tie my shoe? It is never ending. A blessing from above. Listen to the whispers of a child's love.



Children are a Blessing
Psalm 127:3 Lo children are a heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. Happy is the man who has a quiver full of them.

Children are a special blessing from the Lord. God designed life in such a way that our children are our heritage. How we love them and how we help them establish a foundation for their lives is vital to life itself as well as our own personal happiness. As we as parents live our lives in front of our children, we provide a foundation that they will form in their own lives as they grow up and begin to establish their own lives.

This passage is set in the earlier verses, "except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." When the Lord is central in the home, children are a heritage and the fruit of the womb a reward. When the Lord is not central in the home, then our children do not receive the proper foundation and the heritage that they become can be difficult for us as parents.

Life is very difficult. There are so many roads that we can take and so many different directions that we can go in. Our decisions not only affect who we are and what we do, they affect our children as well. We need to do everything that we can to make our lives everything that we can possibly make them. We also need to do everything that we can to make our children's lives as full as we can possibly make them.

Our children see life through us as parents. They see the things that we think are important. They form opinions and habits that they see in us and then try to make decisions that will help them be successful and happy in their lives. There are so many choices that our children have today and so many influences that make being a child today so difficult. Our children are a blessing and we need to make them a priority and do all that we can to help them be the blessing that they truly are.

Happy is the man who has a quiver full of children if he has made the Lord the leader in the home because the Lord will guide those children and they will rise up and call him blessed! This ought to be the priority of all parents today.


Children Learn What They Live

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
" -- Deuteronomy 6:6 & 7

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to feel discouraged
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to feel angry
If a child lives with violence, he learns to feel afraid
If a child lives with dishonesty, he learns to feel suspicious
If a child lives with judgement, he learns to feel guilty
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to feel ashamed
If a child lives with disorder, he learns to feel confused
If a child lives with disappointment, he learns to feel helpless
If a child lives with silence, he learns to feel lonely
BUT
If a child lives with protection, he learns to feel safe
If a child lives with honesty, he learns to feel trustful
If a child lives with peace, he learns to feel calm
If a child lives with sharing, he learns to feel thankful
If a child lives with understanding, he learns to feel encouraged
If a child lives with laughter, he learns to feel happy
If a child lives with creativity, he learns to feel inspired
If a child lives with choice, he learns to feel free
If a child lives with community, he learns to feel supported
If a child lives with accomplishment, he learns to feel confident
If a child lives with meaning, he learns to feel fulfilled
If a child lives with love, he learns to feel tender



One hundred years from now It will not matter....

What kind of school I attended,

What kind of computer I used,

How large or small my church,

But the world may be ...

a little better because...

I was important in the life of a child