Encouragement

by Kelly Knowlden

(This is exciting to me to write about the next generation!)  One of my grandsons, (15 months) and I are reading together one of the classics of children’s literature: Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever!  We look at a page and act out "SHOUT" or “run” or “cry.”  And of course, we make truck noises and gorilla noises and point out noses and ears and all such things.

Here is the practical application of that. On Sunday, I got the opportunity to hold my grandson for about ten minutes during the sermon.  Because we have talked about (demonstrated) “whisper,” whenever he started to talk, I whispered in his ear, “whisper,” and he did.  When the pastor was done, I could say, “Good boy!”

That is what children need to hear.  That is what parents need to be saying.  “Good job!”  “Great work!”  It requires us to be doing the background work of making them successful (training) and then commending them for when it comes about.  We will reap what we sow.  If I sow negativity, guess what I will reap?  If I am impatient, they will not only be impatient, but also will learn that nothing pleases dad.  Interestingly the word “encourage” is next to “exhort” in the Bible.  That means that my encouragement must be in the midst of teaching children right from wrong.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  Heb. 3:13