23/06/2020
TRAIN UP YOUR CHILDREN SO AS NOT TO REPAIR ADULT (PART 5)
Warm welcome to us all in Jesus name. I bring us greetings from the lover of children our Lord and heavenly father.
We shall be looking at point No.3 on how to plant the fear and love of God in the heart of our children.
3. LISTEN TO THEM: Mathew 19:14 …… but Jesus said “permit the children to come to me, do not hinder them”……. This bible verse shows to what extent Jesus valued the act of listening to children. He carefully listened to them. If our Lord could do this, how much more we: CARETAKERS. Listening is not an easy task. “It involves paying attention to another person, taking into consideration the person’s view and then seeking to understand them”. It serves as a lubricant that facilitates smooth relationship between parents and their children.
My dear parents, can you recall the last time you actually listened to your kids talking about what is troubling their minds? Many may say “I do listen” but, “………do you really pay attention, take into considerations and seek understanding in what they are discussing …….” that is what is called listening.
Over the years, research has shown that children who are involved in gang activities, addictions, prostitutions e.t.c. at some point in their lives they become convinced that nobody really cares about how they feel. This made them to conclude that their feelings are not important, and retreat back into their shell, and as a result of this, they begin to live a double life.
Dear parent, we really have to listen to our children, irrespective of their age, so far a child has started talking, please start given him/ her your maximum attention. That is how to build a lasting relationship with your children. Even when they are not talking, try and make them do, by asking them question because many of them have a lot bottled up in them but don’t know how to start. You have to make yourself accessible to them.
Don’t assume your child is gentle as a result of the facts that he/she doesn’t ask questions. Have you put it into consideration that it is possible ”you are always too busy” “he/she is too shy to speak out” “your face is not friendly after the day work” e.t.c. when you see your kids not saying much, please don't keep mute. You really have to work yourself into them. Let no day pass by without asking them "what happened in school today?".
I pray the Lord grant us grace to do the needful.
Yours in building children,
Adesanya Adeola.
