Welcome to week 1 of the Encouragement Project! (Not sure what the Encouragement Project is? Read all about it here!)
Today I want to focus on children. If you have your own- practice on them. If not, find another child to encourage! I assure you, your efforts will not go in vain.
I think I’m probably not alone in feeling I tend to usually call attention to my children’s behavior in a negative way. They’re not obeying? They surely get my attention. Been super helpful? It’s sometimes easier to not bring that up to them.
But I know it is so much more beneficial to them when I consistently speak encouragement to them. (When I am conscious of doing so, things go a lot more smoothly! It just makes the house and day have a different feel.)
I think sometimes in the craziness of things, I forget to intentionally take time to build them up. But as a parent, this is not how God called me to be!
Here are some ways we can encourage our children:
1) Lunch box notes. My kids are only away from me one day each week, but I want to start putting notes in their bags when they are away. I LOVED it when my mom did this when I was a child.
2) Go play with them the first time they ask. So many times when they ask me to play- I say, “One more minute. Not right this second.” And before I know it, they have moved on to something else. How encouraging would it be for their mom just to drop everything- when possible- and meet their creative hearts’ needs?
3) Verbally affirm them. When in public and at home, if they are acting politely, tell them so. If they are sweet to their siblings (Hallelujah!)- commend them.
So for some accountability, I will give you an update next week, in addition to another set of people in our lives to encourage. Will you join me on this challenge?
{God, help me to love these babies to the best of my ability. You have given them to me for a season, and for your own reasons. Let that humble me and spur me on to do great things with them as well. Thank you for them!}
About Kelli Hays
