This week I was reading about children back in school, colleges beginning their semester, the emotions that children have as they start kindergarten and the difficulties mom have sending their child off to school the very first day.
That sparked an idea in my mind of the things we should habitually speak to our children whether they are 2 or 60. Some of the following things might be suited for children older than 2, others may not work if you are a single parent, but most need to be said over and over again.
I love you. I will always love you. No matter what you do, you’ll always be my child. I love you, but I’m still going to discipline you. Yes, I’ll forgive you. Will you forgive me? I messed up. You’re so valuable to me. Let’s go to church. Yes, I’ll drop what I’m doing to play.
No, I’m not too busy. You drew that? Amazing! I’m proud of you. You slipped up, but you’re still precious to me. Can we talk? Let’s hang out. You don’t have a choice here, you’re two years old. You’re safe with me. Yes, I’ll help. Honoring God is always the right choice.
Learning to obey mom and dad is important. Let’s go on a date (mom to son, dad to daughter). Let’s pray. Love those that nobody else loves. Love others more than you love yourself. Love and respect those who don’t love or respect you. Serve others like your life depends on it. Learn to respect those in authority over you (life will be much easier if you do).
There is no problem so big that you can’t come to me. You’ll never do anything to lose my love. You have so many gifts and talents (can I help you use them?). It’s okay to mess up, I mess up too. Be a good friend. It’s okay to be upset. You can never do anything so bad that God would desert you.
Do you have any you would like to add? Send them to me.
P.S. This week we conclude our series “Psalms: A Playlist for Life.” We will celebrate together with a Communion service and discover how to praise God at all times both good and bad.
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