Coffee With Pat
Written By: Pat Aman
copyright 2006
All rights reserved

"Always remember these special words, and your family will stay strong and at peace. Thank You, I Love You, I Admit I Was Wrong, Please Forgive Me, I Am So Proud Of You, Your One Smart Kid, and You did a Wonderful Job." Pastor Pat Aman 

We wonder these days, why children and teenagers are having such a hard time. We even fuss when we see one with pink and purple hair, tattoo's, fifty earrings everywhere in their body, and taking drug and prostituting their bodies? 

I can give you the most likely answer to these questions. Parents, who do not know how to control their mouths. I have been in stores and places that I have heard mama's and daddy's say, "You are the most stupid kid I know, You do not have any common sense, You would lose your head if it was not connect to your body, Can't you do anything right, and the worst I heard the other day, shut up you fool, your embarrassing me."

What kind of attitudes do you think this these children have about themselves? Bad! When parents use their mouths to abuse children, it can sometimes be worst then just physical abuse by its self. It affects them mentally,socially, as well as physically. Then the children grow up with such low self-esteem, that they can not even live a normal life. Then they start to substitute these other things for the love they never received. And them most of them will abuse their wives/husband/children in the same way. 

I was reading "Stories For The Family's Heart." I found one devotion that I think is well worth repeating. Yes, I had to give my opinion also. So the saying in (parentheses) is my added thoughts and not Mr. Stephens.

50 Ways to Love Your Children

Written By: Steve Stephens 

Hug every morning. (And night and every chance you get.) 

Go to zoos, parades and amusement parks. (When do I have the time, Take the time.)

Hang their art and awards on the refrigerator. (Then you will not have to dust it so often.) 

Create family traditions. Be patient. (Grit your teeth and keep your mouth shut.) 

Apologize, when grumpy. (Admitting you were wrong shows them that it is okay to make mistakes.Then they will not be afraid to tell you when they have done wrong.) 

Go camping. (I promise you it is fun.) 

Play tic-tac-toe and hide n' seek.

Always carry Band-Aids and gumdrops.

Know their strengths. (Do not push them to do something that they are not capable.) 

Compliment them. Encourage them. Appreciate them. Eat meals together. Slow down. (They grow up to quickly.) 

Respect their privacy. Listen. (When you take the time to listen, they will take the time to listen to you.) 

Don't discipline in anger. Be consistent. ( Very Important, do not be wishy washy.)

Say "I Love You" frequently. (Everyday) 

Let them be silly. (You be silly with them)

Accept imperfections. (Accept that even your children may not be perfect.) 

Reward good behavior. Explain the rules clearly. Laugh often. Go to their favorite restaurant. (Even if it is McDonald s, and you feel like if you have to see another chicken nugget you will scream.)

Invite their friends over.(Then you will no where they are, and who they hang around with.) 

Buy ice cream cones. (Make Snow Cream and Homemade Ice Cream.) 

Go on vacations. (Together) 

Know when to be gentle and when to be firm. Make birthdays unforgettable. 

Teach responsibility and respect. 

Choose your battles. (Don't sweat the small stuff.) 

Don't embarrass them. (At home or in public.) 

Help with schoolwork. (Even if when they are not looking you have to get a tutor for yourself.) 

Protect them. (But do not smother them.) Build memories. Keep promises. Say "no" when needed. (Remember you are the Parent) 

Don't yell. (When you yell they build walls that are hard to break down.) Give gifts. (Spoiling a child is just loving them.) 

Model virtues. Pray with them. (This teaches them how to pray, and why prayer is important.) 

Pray for them.(Ask God to give them wisdom, understanding, common sense, knowledge, and comprehension in all their school work, and everything that they do. Ask God to give them favor from God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and everyone that they come in contact with. See the change in their school work and their social life once you do this.) 

Talk with their teachers. (Stay involved in with all their school activities.) 

Tell them you're proud of them. Reach out. (This teaches them to reach out to others.) 

Count stars together. 

Talk every bedtime. 

Let go with a blessing. (This is the hardest, but when you know you have raise them to follow God, it will make it easier to turn them over to God as they step out to make a home for themselves.) 

Remember children are children and not adults. Do make them grow up so soon. 

Teach the God's Word and Pray with them. 

Most of all remember, children repeat and act out what they see. What does your Children see when they look at you?

Proverbs 4:1-27 

1. "Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,And give attention to know understanding; 

2. For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law.

3. When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, 

4. He also taught me, and said to me: “ Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.

5. Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 

6. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. 

7. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

8. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

9. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.”

10. Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. 

11. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. 

12. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. 

13. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. 

14. Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 

15. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. 

16. For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. 

17. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. 

18. But the path of the just is like the shining sun,That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. 

19. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. 

20. My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 

21. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 

22. For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 

23. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

24. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. 

25. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 

26. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 

27. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil."

BACK TO DAILY DEVOTON LINKS

Back To Monthly Links of Daily Devotions

The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength

Laughter Is Good For The Soul