It is normal to commend people after they have done a good deed. How about commending people before they do the right thing? It does not sound normal but this is what it takes to parent the little one this season. To make the little one return an item or do something good, we tell him “good boy,………”. Telling the little one he is good while he is making a decision about obeying or disobeying instructions seems to make him do good.
This situation reminds me of Jesus’ miracle recorded in Mark 2:4-5 (KJV) ~
4And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Perhaps the sin of this man was responsible for his sickness. It may be sin against his own body, generational sin…God knows.
Before addressing the man’s sin, Jesus first called him, “son”. Jesus welcomed the man into the family, poured out his love on him by calling him “son”. Jesus saw the man for who he could be and spoke the man’s son-ship into existence.
Love attends to the reality of who God created every human to be and it changes the soul.
Additional lesson: The loving eyes of Jesus saw faith. The Bible says, “When Jesus saw THEIR faith……….”. He focused on the good thing, the faith of the sick man and his friends. How I love those friends. They did not allow their friend to suffer and settle for less than what was possible for God. They brought their friend to the one who can heal and forgive. These are the kind of friends we all need and I am blessed to have such friends.
My book, A Christian Mother’s Creed discusses reflective parenting, the importance of positive speaking in parenting, and it teaches parents practical ways to address problem behaviors. Get a copy for yourself and a friend!
Toddlers are highly motivated to seek the approval of their parent’s.
Newfoundland has a unique dialect, and men often refer to each other as ‘my son’.
You will often hear them say to each other : ‘Yes, my son.’😊
I love that! They must have a strong sense of community.
Yes, Temi, for sure. Many families are inter-related, and they have lived here for hundreds of years. 🌷🤗
It explains a lot. I pray everyone in the body of Christ begin to see one another as relatives in Christ. It will surely change how we treat one another and rid us of pride.
Yes, Temi, I agree. And when we see ourselves as relatives , the Lord will be truly pleased. 🤗
I use to say that to my children as well.
“Calling those things which are not as if they were.” (Romans 4:17)
Yes yes! That scripture perfectly describes what we should be doing♥️👌🏽
I love this share sis. Calling out the good in another makes them see the good in them. Just like words can mar a person. It can also recreate us too. We all have that good side only if someone will be keen enough to see it. And faith indeed cometh by hearing this good, cos we then believe it and become that. 💯
Absolutely! You got the message 👌🏽
Smiles. 🤗✋
Building one another up!! Just what we need… and now more than ever!!!!!
More than ever, sis! Absolutely!
Great sentiments on this touchy topic! I always appreciate when Scripture is used as the basis for parenting, so thank you for that! You brought to mind something I’ve been studying lately – practicing affirmation. Biblical affirmation includes praising the goodness of God in the other person, versus flattering the person themselves. If God gives good gifts to His people, He is worthy of our praise.
Thanks for sharing!
If you’re interested, I’ve written on protecting our kids from sexual abuse, and most recently in uniting during dividing times.
God bless and keep you!
Thank you for reflecting with me. Certainly, flattery is different from calling out the good in someone and celebrating God in them. Thank you for the insightful comment. I read your blog posts yesterday. I plan to share your blog with other moms. ♥️
what a nicely written post Temi. you did well in reflecting on something that’s so important to us all. Will try getting hold of the book. well done.
Thank you Sophia! ♥️☺️