Do Something

Sometimes a good question can change things. It was so with four lepers who lived in Israel. Times were as bad as it gets because Samaria was besieged by an enemy starving the Israelites. Four lepers sat outside the city walls, and one asked a startling question, “Why stay here until we die?” (2 Kings 7:3). He reasoned that if they tried to get into the city, there was nothing but famine. If they continued to stay where they were, they would also die. Why not try something crazy? He suggested that the four march headlong into the enemy’s camp and see what happens. The worst they could do would be to kill them. They would die anyway; why not die trying to do something worthwhile?

Did the lepers know they would be successful? Did they have the assurance they would be better off? Absolutely not! They did, however, know they had to try. As evening fell, they got up and ventured toward the enemy camp. However, as they walked, God “caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army” (2 Kings 7:5-6). When the lepers arrived at the camp, it was utterly deserted. God had made the steps of four lepers sound like a mighty approaching army.

God intervened on behalf of the four lepers. He didn’t tell them what he was going to do. God still does this when we step out in faith. Our resources are limited, but God is never limited. Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing is too difficult for God.

When God tells you to act, he will go with you. One of the reasons I like this story is that it shows God will use anyone—even a leper. God put the restless spirit inside these fellows and honored their courage. Is God calling you to step out and do something for him? You may be fearful or unsure of what to do, but the inner voice says, “Do something!”

 

When a Child Feels Loved

Today is an excellent opportunity for me to talk about one of my favorite subjects--raising kids. An essential element of responsive parenting is the quality of the interactions between the child and the parent. How responsive the parent is to the child’s needs is critical. If the parent uses encouragement, praise, and physical affection, it dramatically affects the child. Children who receive parental warmth tend to engage less in antisocial behavior. When children and teens feel valued, accepted, and loved, they are more inclined to internalize parental values and attitudes.  

When a child feels loved, he will feel special. God communicated that special love to Israel by referring to them as the apple of his eye (Deut. 32:10). A child shown through her parents’ love that she is unique will develop healthy self-esteem.

Children develop cognitive and emotional capabilities early in life primarily due to observing their parents. When children see such behaviors as helping, sharing, and serving, they internalize and use them, just as they internalize bad behavior of lying, disrespect, and defiance. When mom and dad disrespect each other, the kids will imitate this. You may have heard them pretending to be grown up, and your conversations and actions are played out.

Most of a child’s behaviors are acquired through the daily exchanges of the household between the children and the parents. There is greater acceptance of correction when a parent explains the reason for implementing a new behavior for the child. Behavior modification that functions on a reward system works for tiny children. Still, as the children get older, they need clear explanations that make sense from their parents. The more cooperative the co-parenting style is between the mother and father, the better the children will feel about themselves and the more respectful and better they will feel toward other people.

The emotional development of the child will positively impact their social relationships later in life. The result of a consistent, responsive parenting style, which is strong on warmth, clear communication, and control, solves problem behavior much faster by helping to eliminate confusion with clarity and make the child feel accepted.

 

 

A Father’s Prayer

 

 

The Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians that God would give them strength (Eph 3:14-19). This is a fitting prayer for fathers to pray because we need strength. We need God’s help to teach our children the right way to live! I have listed some of the most important lessons.

 

·         Create an atmosphere of respect, and don’t tolerate disrespect.

 

·         Never make fun of your child, and always preserve their dignity.

 

·         Praise your children often—they will remember it.

 

·         Don’t tolerate temper tantrums--not as toddlers or teenagers.

 

·         Spend time with your family around the table and make it fun.

 

·         Arguing with their mom in front of the kids confuses the children.

 

·         Teach your kids patience, kindness, gentleness, generosity, and self-control.

 

·         Give them explanations when they are angry or confused.

 

·         Teach biblical morality daily of what is right and what is wrong.

 

·         Make forgiveness obvious—you forgive, and they learn to forgive.

 

·         Teach them how to work and why we work.

 

·         Teach them to always do their best and never quit.

 

·         Teach them to stand up for their convictions---even alone.

 

·         Teach them to never look down on another person for any reason.