Raising children is much like pouring concrete. A strong foundation must be prepared before anything else can be built. During the early years, parents have a unique opportunity to shape their children through presence more that presents – through consistent love, unfailing prayer, godly instruction, discipline, and godly example. Through these intentional efforts, we seek to establish a foundation that will last a lifetime and, by God’s grace, extend into eternity.
What we build into our children today can influence them for a lifetime and, by the grace of God, for generation to come.
“Unless the Lord builds a house, they who build it labor in vain;” – Psalm 127:1a
Principles to Live By:
- If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
- If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
- If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
- If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
- If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
- If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.
- If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
- If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
- If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
- If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
- If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and others.
- If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
— Dorothy Law Nolte
When God blesses us with children, they are His gift to us. How we raise them is our gift back to God.
Therefore, let us intentionally build into our children a foundation of love, faith, character, truth, and godliness – one strong enough to withstand the pressures of life and point them toward Christ for generations to come.