The folllowing video inspired this blogpost: click link to view video :
cherish treasure within us all
I believe as parents of children, we are GIVEN OUR CHILDREN as gifts of mold-able clay. What we teach them as parents, becomes an integral part of their adult life.
There are many things we can teach them about,. Here are a few: be aware of where you are in life....Know who and why people are in your life, know that you are not immune to Trouble. KNOW you can learn to use the teachings from Trouble to make you stronger by having just a little HOPE (and it really is OK to ask for help--maybe that is the reason certain people are in your life). And these topics are just the tip of the iceberg of learning our children should have.
Some of us learn that life can change in an instant. The age at which we learn this can influence all the rest of our days. AS an example, many of us assume we will not out-live our children, whom we hope will live a long and abundant life! That is the predominate opinion parents would have.
But tell me, when you see the number 963 does that seem like a small or large number to you? You might think "well, it is less than a thousand". A thousand words, seconds, minutes, hours, days, people. What is she getting at?
Lets put this number in perspective: That is how many weekends you have to spend with your child/children if they live 18 years (18 x 52) and you have that much time to influence them in the ways you want, to give them your perspective on how to cope when Trouble comes knocking on their door.I am not talking about going out-of- town on trip each time.
Lots of teachable time can be at home. But look closer at your schedule and theirs. Wouldn't you think that your child's life is most teachable during a time of about 6 years before they hit the teen years, then that time period is cut to a third (312). Factor in your family's obligations to groups, work, church it may go down another third. Now you are at 104. "Wow, time really does fly, doesn't it?"
Lets put this number in perspective: That is how many weekends you have to spend with your child/children if they live 18 years (18 x 52) and you have that much time to influence them in the ways you want, to give them your perspective on how to cope when Trouble comes knocking on their door.I am not talking about going out-of- town on trip each time.
Lots of teachable time can be at home. But look closer at your schedule and theirs. Wouldn't you think that your child's life is most teachable during a time of about 6 years before they hit the teen years, then that time period is cut to a third (312). Factor in your family's obligations to groups, work, church it may go down another third. Now you are at 104. "Wow, time really does fly, doesn't it?"
Wait? you say "I only have 15 days of vacation a year." Think! 'Now it might be a good time' to point them to role models they may use when you aren't able to be there? Teach them the most valuable lessons are those learned when we come out on the other side of Trouble. When we ascribe great value to hope and compassion.
Trouble? You don't think it is something you can avoid in life? Get in touch with recent realities in 2017 : Las Vegas, Fires, Hurricanes, racial injustice, cancer, chronic illness, stock market, the government, intolerance, peer pressure, bullies and the list goes on. But it is a fine line to balance our talk and our actions during time of trouble. In the end, those whose lives for whom we are responsible, must know and must see how people we define as 'overcomers' have lived through the worst of times and resolve not to let demons dash their dreams.
Some of the best life lessons are taught and learned from just hanging out together. Oh, look at the time.....we better get busy figuring out how to show your loved ones what your hopes and dreams are for them and how they can make the most of this journey called LIFE!
Judy Hensley
10/25/2017
10/25/2017
