"Watching
Your Kids Grow Up!”
The other day, I took Zeke, our 4 month old Lab, out to the
lake in hopes that he'd swim. I'd taken
him to the lake on a number of other occasions, but he hadn't gone swimming
yet. Every time we went, I'd walk out
into deeper water in my waders hoping he'd swim out to me. He would go in the water, but he'd always
keep his feet on the ground. I didn't
force him to swim by throwing him in the lake.
I just encouraged him. On this
trip, he started to swim, and he found it to be so much fun. He seemed so proud of himself, and I was
certainly proud of him.
Parents, I hope you know that proud feeling you have when
your child did something for the first time - when they took their first steps,
said "mommy," rode a two-wheel bike, or earned an award. Maybe you've also had a proud feeling when
you saw your child do something unique and helpful that you didn't expect -
took out the trash without being asked, held a door open for someone, used good
manners at a restaurant, or received some kind of recognition from others. These are a part of growing up, but these
things that make you so proud don't just happen on their own. They happen as a result of the encouragement
and opportunities that you provide for your child beforehand. All the things that occur leading up to the
success are vitally important.
Ultimately, it is the child's moment of success, but there is nothing
wrong with being proud of your kids as they grow and mature in life. Jesus did this as well, and he had God and
others proud of him for what he was doing:
"And Jesus grew in wisdom and
stature, and in favor with God and men." Luke 2:52
Talk about some firsts and how it went - potty training,
riding a bike, day of school, etc.
Discuss "good proud" and "bad proud" in
life.
Parents, tell your kids how proud you are of them - be
specific about why.
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