“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” I Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJ)

My neighbor said, “Every time I tell people where I live they ask if the Glasgows are our neighbors. I say yes and it always brings the same response. Each one of those Glasgow kids are so good. How do they do it?’ How do you and Dale do it, Sharon?”
Each child is so different and their needs and temperament so complex that only their Maker could know how they should be disciplined and nurtured. I plead for the Lord’s help daily. We audibly talk to Him, with the kids, asking Him to help us with everything from shopping to making the hard decisions. The kids know without a doubt He is the God of the Universe and that they have access to a powerful life if they consult Him over all the details of their life.
One of our family’s greatest strengths is our communication. We talk all the time. When the kids were growing up we rarely did anything without them. If my husband or I needed to go to the store, everybody went, and we talked the entire trip - still do. We plan life around being together - communicating and encouraging each other. Eating meals together when the kids are young is easy, but it is challenging when they are teenagers. It’s still important to plan mealtime together as they get older.
I also believe that listening is just as important. I have to make a conscious effort to stop thinking about my to-do list, work and the urgencies of life when the kids are talking so that I can listen attentively. They know when you’re listening at age 2 or at age 18. Many times when they are telling me about their day I’ll recite the things they said in my mind several times so that I can remember them. For instance, who is sitting next to them in class or the names of random people they talk about in their day. I listen for attitudes toward everything. How did they react to a particular event? What kind of influence are their friends having on them?
My husband and I lead by example and strive to be sacrificial in our day-to-day living. The kids know what our priorities are by how we live. Its one thing to say, “I love you.” It’s another to live it. My husband and I want our children to know they are top priority in everything we do and say.
In return, our kids talk to us about everything. They listen to us attentively and follow our advice, even as teenagers and adults. Without argument they make sure their plans don’t overlap family times. They respect us in front of friends, and in private. They are sacrificial to us, always willing to give up their own needs for the sake of ours or the family. It is truly an honor to be their parents.
I can honestly say, when God is leading your parenting, your home will be blessed.
Dear Lord, instill in me Your wisdom for raising our children. Help me to be an example of the greatest gift of all, the gift of Your love to my kids. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Additional Resources:The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, M.D.
The Five Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman
Application Steps:Seek God’s Word for everyday truths to lead you and your parenting.
Loving your children should be one of your highest pursuits.
Reflection Points:Are you a living example, today, of what you want your kids to become?
Do your children know that they are more important than your work, friends, etc?

***

Power Verses:

Proverbs 31:26-28, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of her idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed.” (NKJ)
Psalm 133:1, “How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!” (MSG)
Ephesians 6:1-2, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother.” (NASB)