THE GIFT OF WONDERMENT

Wonder delights the senses.

To wonder is to delight in the simple and complex mysteries in nature; we love the sights, sounds, their tastes, touch, and scents. They touch our thoughts, the unknowns with their complexities and much more than one can take in.

Children have a gift of wonder. They delight in watching an insect alight on a leaf, a pill bug roll in their palm, a lizard doing push-ups, a snail on the sidewalk, and a snake slithering in the dirt.

Children ask many questions that originate from their innate ability to wonder. How do things work? Why do they do that? How are they made? What do they eat? Why are they that way?

I like to wonder as I wander especially out in nature. I see much that fascinates me. I open my eyes to see the unusual in the usual. Mysteries abound. Everywhere you look you find them.

My brother and I share this love of wonder. I remember being in second grade and he in first grade, how after school we wandered the alfalfa field while looking at the sheep and talking.

A few years later he and I scrambled to a distant corner of the farm acreage to look at a bed of wildflowers full of California poppies and violet lupine. Luscious, they were. He and I, content.

I have an outlet for my sense of wonder. I view as I write. My words describe the beauties as they touch me. I act like a conduit sharing the mystery of wonder with my quite willing pen.

Artists understand wonderment.


*photo by Katie Rodriguez on Unsplash

Welcome the Children -- Inspiration 20

Forbid Not the Children

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Matthew 19:13-15

CHILDREN are special to Jesus. A little boy's lunch of bread and fish fed a crowd of 5,000 after Jesus thanked God for it. Imagine the boy's amazement as he watched Jesus multiply his small offering. Jairus' daughter lay upon her death bed, the life departed from her body; then Jesus raised her up. Her and her family's amazement gave praise to Jesus. At another time parents with their children pressed in for Jesus' attention. The disciples began to shoo them away. But Jesus didn't see the children as in the way and said so. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me . . . for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven," That was significant and put things in order. In the Old Testament God had plans for a slave boy to save his people (Joseph). God protected a baby in a basket, who would lead His people out of captivity (Moses). A mother's heart-felt plea to God produced the boy Samuel who later served his God faithfully and justly. God had a shepherd anointed to become king while still in his youth (David). Jesus sums it up with His words in this account. ^"He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." (Matthew 18:2-5) Jesus' words speak life.

Dear Father, You value children. You show us what is most important. Faith is pure, like the faith of a child. We thank Thee for these words of life. Amen

For your musical pleasure:  Jesus Loves Me

To God be the Glory

SHOW KIDS YOU CARE

Notice the children and give them an appropriate sense of self.

Children need tender loving care. They also need affirmation. All the adults in their lives put into their lives and are giving them a sense of self. Your words and actions matter a great deal and leave lasting imprints that project into the future. Positive words and actions are empowering.

Children need parameters and established boundaries. It is important to teach youth that some things are good and some are not okay. Model appropriate behaviors for them and plan ways to create a safe environment in your home. Make sure you commend children for right behaviors. All children need to be cared for and nurtured. Chaos happens when the environment is out of control. With a little thought, this can be improved and provide what the children need.

Teachers, parents, grandparents, coaches, youth leaders, ministers and others will communicate messages to their youthful charges. They are helping build a whole person one word at a time. Wrong messages often stem from frustration, lack or organization, and lack of consistency.

Focus on helping children grow into responsible adults by helping them participate. People need structure to build upon to hold it together like a body needs its skeletal system to support the body. By paying attention to structure and nurture causes a child to feel wanted in their environment.

Parents teach their children about strangers to keep them aware and safe. Be careful in how you interact with children. Be a safe person. Do make the effort to acknowledge children. Do the extras if they are in your care.

 Here are a few simple ways you can show any child that you care.

Notice them. 

Smile a lot.

Acknowledge them.

Learn their names.

Seek them out.

Remember their birthdays.

Children are like sponges. They soak up the attention and guidance you give them. They need it.

Children will listen after they have learned to listen. We, as adults, learn to speak with quiet authority and to not overdo it. They respond to care, and they respond to being treated with respect. Lack of respect towards them results in them reacting, acting out, or defending themselves. Respectful behavior is taught, modeled, given, and should be the expectation for everyone in the family.

Much has been written about raising children. I think one area has been neglected. Parents are in control, not the children. You are in charge. Don't give the children all the power to make all the choices. They are not ready for it and will become what we used to call "spoiled" or "brats" when they control the home. They will have more voice as they mature and show responsibility.

There are ways to do this. You might want to read about this subject.on my other blog: Intentional Parenting: 21 Tips for How to Parent Children.

Be in control but don't be harsh. Use appropriate consequences. Love well. Be kind. Take time.