Treasures

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

It is that time of year again – caps, gowns, ceremonies, parties, announcements.  Graduation is just around the corner.  There has been lots of talk around the office about the sermon for that special Sunday and the one thing you want to tell graduates before you send them out into the world.  Picking just one thing is impossible because there are so many things to remind them about.  So, how about a list of fifteen important things to start with a little earlier in life than graduation?  Yesterday we took a look at seven things we can teach our kids to value more than possessions and today we will look at the rest of the fifteen things. 

• Determination – Life is full of challenges.  Help your kids learn to meet them head on and not back down easily.  It will help them set high goals and accomplish great things.  It will help them to never stop dreaming and striving when others around them are giving up easily. 
• Quietness – Sometimes just being still and quiet helps us to reflect on our lives and think through situations to make better decisions and choose the right paths. 
• Hard Work – Most people just see hard work as a way to get what they want such as a paycheck and a certain lifestyle.  There is nothing wrong with that of course, but we need to teach our children that not only does hard work pay off, but sometimes the hard work is the payoff.  We will not be compensated for all the hard work we do in life and kids need to know the value is in a job well done, or helping someone, or sometimes just doing the right thing!
• Justice - Life isn’t fair. It never will be – there are just too many variables. But when a wrong has been committed or a playing field can be leveled, I want my child to be active in helping to level it… not hoarding power over another just to stay on top.  
• Art – Teach your kids to appreciate beauty.  Personally, art can be a way for them to be creative and expressive.  Animals
• Animals – Help children treat animals with care and respect and oddly enough, it will help them learn how to treat people with care and respect. 
• Affection – Love should not just be felt, it also needs to be expressed to be fully enjoyed and realized.  Teach your kids how to give and accept affection.  Some kids naturally shy away from hugs and kisses, so make sure you show affection to them every day.
• Themselves – Children need to value themselves enough to have self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth.  Of course we don’t want them to think more highly of themselves than others, but kids who have a strong self-worth grow up to be adults who respect their values and stick to them. 

Values are perhaps the most important thing we can instill in our children besides a love for and understanding of God.  Kids will learn more by watching you and seeing you react to life than they ever will from anything you try to tell them.  Teach them the values and reward them for right behavior but always remember to model the values you want them to embrace.

Scripture to claim:
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.  Isaiah 46:4