About 40 years ago, the women's group I attended had a special speaker. As well as speaking, she brought two crafts with her; one about children and the other about husbands...I was a brand new mother, and a fairly new wife..so they both appealed to me...
The poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, written about 1963, "Children learn what they live" hung on our wall until we were empty nesters and finally found a new home with another family...
"If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to to be shy.
If a child lives with shame.
He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise,
He learn to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
He learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship.
He learns to find love in the world...."
I found this copy while I was yet again purging files...and while I would add some other things to live with like generosity, trust, godliness ....this is a good start...and still is appropriate for today's generation...
I will profusely admit that we were not the perfect parents or even close... We tried to give our children a basis of family, with great grandparents, and great, great grandparents...and an on going faith...
I now can hold my youngest grandchild and look up to my oldest grandson, realizing they still learn from what they see and live...God's values and truths are the same as they have been and will be...Thank YOU for each blessing that You Have bestowed....Help each to grow strong in You...they will definitely need Your help as have the generations before them....Help them to recognize that truth....
Hebrews 13:7-8, 15, 18 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
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