We grow gracious families by example. At the bottom of the first inning, Kaiden “Bubs” Shelton delivers the 0-2 pitch to batter Isaiah “Zay” Jarvis in the Little League Southwest Regional Playoff Finals. The wild pitch beans Zay and he falls to the ground in pain. After several minutes of examination, he is okay and takes his base. Zay sees a distraught Bubs crying on the mound. Leaving first base, he walks to the mound, hugs the opposing pitcher and tells him, “Hey, you’re doing great. Let’s go.” Watch the inspiring ESPN video.
Zay’s dad is a college baseball coach who teaches his players that the golden rule is true sportsmanship. Zay said, “My dad always tells his players to put others before yourself and treat other people how you want to be treated. I was really glad I was able to put that into action.”
To inspire a child with a holy confidence in what he can accomplish by God’s grace and the aid of his parents is one of the blessed secrets of success in training.
How to Raise Children for Christ by Andrew Murray
Children learn from watching examples of behaviors and attitudes. It takes time for them to see their family in all kinds of different situations. They notice if actions don’t line up with what they are told. And kids are always watching. When I taught Mother Day Out, I played a naming game with the 3-year-olds. I would hold up a card showing a picture of someone wearing a uniform and they would name the occupation. When I held up the card for a policeman, one child shouted, “Oh! That’s the man that came to pick up my daddy last night!”
“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” ― Michael J. Fox
Prioritizing family time can include different creative activities. Children love spontaneous interaction and learning. Parents can also use these moments as opportunities for children to share their outside-of-home experiences (without feeling interrogated!)
“When we realize that it is God’s pure grace that binds the bodies and minds of our fellow man together, each person we encounter becomes more holy, special, worthy of care. Through this lens, it’s harder to judge. And easier to love.”
The President’s Devotional by Joshua DuBois
Click images below for idea pages. Here are a couple of helpful links to christian parenting sites, loaded with advice and support. One for dads and one for moms. Have fun growing graciousness in your family!
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Leave a Comment!