Spending large amounts of time with children is vastly rewarding and encouraging (also often exhausting!). Lately, I have been struck with how I need to hear the very same things I am telling my children. Here is a short list (and some accompanying scriptures)
Stop worrying about what other people are doing. Just take care of what you’re doing.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. ~ Galatians 1:10
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. ~ Romans 2:1
Even when you have big feelings, you still need to choose the right thing.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
Stop getting distracted by stuff that doesn’t matter.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:1-2
If you don’t like it when someone does it to you, then don’t do it to someone else.
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. ~ Matthew 7:12
Are you being a good listener right now?
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger ~ James 1:19
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. ~ Proverbs 21:23
Chill out.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. ~ Matthew 6:33-34
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” ~ Psalm 46:10
Do you need to take a break to find a better attitude?
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. ~ Proverbs 16:32
I love you.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ~ Colossians 3:14
As a father [mother] shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. ~ Psalm 103:13
God loves you.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10
And finally, because “a joyful heart is good medicine…” (Proverbs 17:22).
Here are some humorous things I often say:
- Don’t stick your finger in that.
- Stop eating things that are not food.
- Please stop sitting on your sister (or brother).
- We can’t poke other people.
- We can’t go places nake-y.
Perhaps each of us could stand to be a little more child like today
Photo (with inserted scripture) by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash
Wattsup With Kids 