It’s like I took a nap and when I woke up, the children of this generation were crying and when I tried to go check on them I found more than just a runny nose or a stinky diaper. I found that our children had been violated. The devil had gotten in somehow, someway and flipped their world upside down.
They don’t know who they are and no one is telling them. I remember times when my mom was whoopin my butt while telling me (between each crack of the belt) who I was not and what I was not going to do. Do you remember that? What (smack) did (smack) I (smack) tell (smack) you (smack)? You (smack) are (smack) not (smack) a (smack) fool (smack)! You (smack) will (smack) not (smack) be (smack) in (smack) class (smack) talking (smack)! Although I didn’t know it at the time (I was too busy trying fight the pain), my mother was speaking a Word over me. She was declaring that I was not going to be a fool.
I’m not saying that you have to be smacking a child to speak over them. NO WAY! I’m just talking about back in my day and I’m grateful to be alive to speak of a “back in the day.” What I am saying is that if you don’t speak over your child, who will? And if you don’t demand a higher standard, then who? Bishop Tudor Bismark recently made a scripture come all the way alive for me. It was Isaiah 59:19
So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Bishop Bismark pointed out that when the enemy comes in like a flood, we are to raise our standards.
I don’t know about you but when I see what our kids are facing today, I become a bit overwhelmed. The enemy has come in like a flood. What he has done and is doing will rise up above all of our heads if we don’t take our children to a higher place.
I’m just bold enough to do it! I’m bold enough to do it and I think you are too!
Here are 5 simple steps to help you begin to raise the standard in your home:
1) Pray and Repent. Ask God to forgive you for not being a good steward over His little one. Let Him know that you have been overwhelmed and tired and dealing with your own problems and pain. Then, ask Him to guide you.
2) Begin to believe in your children and make sure you tell them that you do! Encourage them. Compliment them. Hug them. A mother’s nurturing touch can be healing for a child.
3) Prepare and plan for them. Nothing says love like preparation. How did you feel when Jesus said “I go to prepare a place for you…” I bet you felt pretty secure, right? Well, our children are the same way. Take time and prepare their meals, plan their schedules, prepare to send them to enrichment activities and college. Prepare them for everyday life by giving them the tools needed to walk in Peace. Show them the way through Family Bible Studies and Prayer.
4) Get them involved. An idle and lazy child will sit back and watch his life fly by even into adulthood. I am a strong believer in volunteerism. I didn’t mind getting a job at the age of 14 because I’d already been working as a volunteer for what seemed like my entire life lol! It also builds your child’s self esteem when he/she is able to see the happiness and appreciation on someone’s face when they’ve been on the receiving end of your child’s hard work. It gives a sense of acceptance. It makes them feel “good enough.”
Proverbs 19:15
Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry.
5) Set rules and realistic standards. Stay on top of those rules even if you have to develop your own system to do so. Chore Schedules. Homework Schedules. Weekly Family Meetings. All of these things can work for the single or married parent. Then, when you’ve laid down the rules of the house, enforce them. You don’t want to confuse your children and make them think that rules were made to be broken because if they try that stuff (breaking rules) anywhere else, they will be met with consequences.
I hope those Simple Steps were helpful. If we all work with our children, we will create a much better tomorrow. Imagining that gets me excited!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for not seeking you about what we should be doing as parents. We’ve taken our assignment too lightly. Lead us as we direct our children. Give us wisdom, discernment and creative parenting ideas. Our ultimate goal as parents is to set our children up to receive you wholeheartedly. We want our children to know the love, acceptance, peace and success that only a relationship with you can bring. Show us how to do that.
We ask that you protect our children and our entire family from the plans, attempts and attacks of the devil. We know that he seeks to devour our children but the blood of Jesus is against him and everyone of his ideas and schemes. Thank you for the blood of Jesus.
In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
I love the laundromat more than I could ever express. You know I must love it, look how I spelled it! The novice would have said “laundry mat” but the professional wife would understand the honor that is due and would respectfully call the Laundromat by its real name (wow, I even used a capital “L” that second time). Before I discovered the laundromat I was at home being hypnotized by an endless mountain of dirty clothes. I was dazed and confused trying to figure out how and when this pile had accumulated. Were there extra children living secretly in the attic and closets of my home?
