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. Parents are thinking about the one thing they
want to tell graduates before they 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?
- 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
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
