Children know what you show them. My dad showed me how to change a tire when I was fifteen. Pretty cool -- and pretty practical, too. Now, whenever I need to change a tire I know how to do it! My dad showed me. I know what he showed. My dad also showed me a great appreciation for the outdoors -- thanks, Dad! A great appreciation for people of other cultures -- thanks, Dad! And he showed me that he loved me and was proud of me. What a guy! I feel a little bit better about myself because my dad showed me that he felt pretty good about me. Children know what we show them. If you want a child to know how to play soccer, show them. If you want them to know how to ice skate, show them. And if you want them to know how to do gymnastics, show them. It is as simple as that. When a child is born he and she is pretty much a blank slate. They don't know much of anything. What you put in their heart and mind by your actions, attitude, and the words you say they come to know. I would never have known how to change a tire on a car unless my dad, or some other adult investing in me, showed me.
When you you show a child a bright, positive, affirming, and encouraging disposition, then they come to know taht God is gracious and good and that someone cares about them. They cme to know how to be bright, and hopeful, and positive. They come to know how to love their church, their school and their teachers. They come to know how to trust others and to not be too selfish or too easily disappointed. But when show children a critical, disappointed, and negative disposition, then they come to know how to be selfish, self-interested, and to conclude that somehow God and others have let them down. Children know what you show them. I want children to love their school, their coaches, and their churches. So I try to show them a heart and attitude that says they have a great school, great teachers and coaches, and a great church. Children know what you show them.
Join me today, will you? Here's a mountain man challenge: Let's put on the happy face. Let's invest in the life of a child. Let's find one child or young person who will prosper and benefit from being in YOUR company. Forget all the other sad sacks! YOU make a difference. My dad showed me how to change a flat tire. How about you showing a child how to change a flat disposition into one that is filled with life and breath!
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." He also says, "Anyone who causes the least of these to stumble would be better off with a millstone tied around his neck and tossed into the sea." Far be it from me! Let's continue to partner in creating an environment and world and community where children are safe and well received, and where we partner in assisting them along a safe and healthy highway...No deep sea diving for us!
I love you! Children know what you show!!
Jeff on the mountains
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3 comments:
What a great analogy for the way our Heavenly Father showed us everything He wanted us to know! By sending his only son, Jesus Christ, to earth, he showed us how to be compassionate, loving, and forgiving (among other things). The Bible is filled with things God wanted us to know, so he showed us. In our quest to be like Christ, we too should show children what we want them to know. What a wonderful opportunity to have children, at a time in their lives where they are impressionable and can be molded into Godly individuals. Oh to have faith like a child.
This is so true today. We need and must set a Godly example in our lives by our actions and words. We must always keep our eyes focused on Him. God will carry us through our journeys in life.
Diane
Children do learn what you show them. Both negative and positive. The mountain man told a very positive lesson learned from his dear father. The story I'll tell is of a negative influence a parent can have on their children.
I've written about Holden Village before on this blog but we spent about 5-6 weeks a year up there for 7 years. We were not guests--we were volunteer staff. What a treat that was! Can't begin to tell you how much I learned there. One of life's lessons was performed right before my eyes one afternoon in late August. Let me share it with you.
A doe with twin fawns (not the same doe as I told you about before) was allowing her children to graze on the lush ankle-high meadow grass outside one of the local buildings.
A brown mother rabbit came out from under the building. She had four little fluffy brown bunnies. These little litle ones were so happy to be outside--they hopped around and nibbled on the tender tips of the grass. Life is good!
One of the fawns mozied over to say "howdy" to the bunnies. The other fawn followed. Both mothers stood there and watched for a few minutes. The children were having a good time getting acquainted--rubbing noses together. Yes, Life is Good!
All of a sudden, the mother rabbit called her babies and took them back under the building. The fawns looked sad (if a fawn can have an expression).
Those of us watching decided that's where it starts. It starts at home. The children were doing fine by themselves. We'll never know why the mother rabbit didn't want her children to play with those fawns.
And, that's how children learn. As parents we need to be vigilant about the negative lessons we might teach.
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