CHILDREN NEED TO HEAR
I recently ran across this list of the Top 10 things that fathers say. See if you’ve ever heard yourself, or your father, say any of these phrases:
10. Don’t ask me, ask your mother.
9. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
8. I wasn’t asleep; I was just resting my eyes.
7. A little dirt never hurt anyone – just wipe it off.
6. Don’t make me stop this car!
5. Don’t worry – it’s only a little blood.
4. Do I look like I’m made of money?
3. This will hurt me a lot more than it will hurt you.
2. No, we’re not there yet!
1. When I was your age…
9. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
8. I wasn’t asleep; I was just resting my eyes.
7. A little dirt never hurt anyone – just wipe it off.
6. Don’t make me stop this car!
5. Don’t worry – it’s only a little blood.
4. Do I look like I’m made of money?
3. This will hurt me a lot more than it will hurt you.
2. No, we’re not there yet!
1. When I was your age…
I have to admit that I’ve heard those things, and said them too! Truth be told, as fathers, mothers, and grandparents, sometimes we all say some strange things. The real question though is, are we also saying the things our children and grandchildren need to hear from us?
They need to hear us say:
“I love you and I always will.”
“I am so proud of you.”
“You bring me such joy.”
“I trust you.”
“Mistakes happen.”
No one is perfect.”
“I forgive you.”
“Be yourself.”
“I believe in you.”
“Don’t give up, you can do this.”
“I was wrong and I’m sorry.”
“God is good.”
“Jesus loves you.”
“My life’s purpose is to love God with everything I’ve got and to love others in his name. I hope that one day that will be your goal too.” “I hope that you can tell from the way I live that Jesus Christ is my savior and Lord, and I’m praying that one day he will be yours too.”
“I am so proud of you.”
“You bring me such joy.”
“I trust you.”
“Mistakes happen.”
No one is perfect.”
“I forgive you.”
“Be yourself.”
“I believe in you.”
“Don’t give up, you can do this.”
“I was wrong and I’m sorry.”
“God is good.”
“Jesus loves you.”
“My life’s purpose is to love God with everything I’ve got and to love others in his name. I hope that one day that will be your goal too.” “I hope that you can tell from the way I live that Jesus Christ is my savior and Lord, and I’m praying that one day he will be yours too.”
I'm sure you could add some phrases that are important for children to hear.
The Bible reminds us of part of our job as parents and grandparents when it says: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deuteronomy 6: 5 – 7)
The next time you catch yourself saying something like “When I was your age” take a moment and ask yourself, “Am I also telling my children, my grandchildren, the important words they need to hear?”
Your Pastor,
Mike