Kids are so impressionable.
And it's amazing how much they seek approval. I guess it's a lifelong thing. But I was reminded how big of a part I can play in that by encouraging the good.
I have talked before about my four favorites: Dinis, Momade, Pedro and Pedrito. They do not have birth parents and maybe because of previous life experiences, maybe because of personality, maybe for other reasons, they are underdogs. They are troublemakers but with their smiles could get away with a lot.
There are a lot of kids that could fit in this description, maybe we just don't always know their stories. But they just need someone to encourage them, to give a pat on the back and even a scolding every once in a while.
And I think I have underestimated the power of the opposite gender. Now that I think about it, guys would do a lot to get the attention of a girl, right? And it doesn't always matter if it's because he is trying to impress her to eventually see if he could convince her to go out with him. Guys want to please their moms, their aunts, their grandmas. They want to please their nice teachers, usually girls. They want to please friends and maybe even their friends' big sisters. Maybe that's an exaggeration, but maybe not. Depends on how cool get big sisters are.
Today Nelito was doing pull-ups on the playground. He was the only one even close to the playground. As soon as I walked over, no joke, less than thirty seconds and there were 15 elementary age boys all trying to squeeze on the pull-up bar or doing the monkey bars and looking to see if I noticed.
I need to take advantage of this power! In a good way, of course! Now that I know that they want me to be pleased with them, I need to be more intentional about speaking well of others, of encouraging fair play, of being kind and encouraging intellect--aka school attendance and grades! We have guessed that some kids come to church simply to watch the white girls sing and attempt to dance. So, girls, use your influence for good. Guys, make sure the girls you are seeking approval from are girls of character, morality and integrity.
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works" Hebrews 10:24
And it's amazing how much they seek approval. I guess it's a lifelong thing. But I was reminded how big of a part I can play in that by encouraging the good.
I have talked before about my four favorites: Dinis, Momade, Pedro and Pedrito. They do not have birth parents and maybe because of previous life experiences, maybe because of personality, maybe for other reasons, they are underdogs. They are troublemakers but with their smiles could get away with a lot.
There are a lot of kids that could fit in this description, maybe we just don't always know their stories. But they just need someone to encourage them, to give a pat on the back and even a scolding every once in a while.
And I think I have underestimated the power of the opposite gender. Now that I think about it, guys would do a lot to get the attention of a girl, right? And it doesn't always matter if it's because he is trying to impress her to eventually see if he could convince her to go out with him. Guys want to please their moms, their aunts, their grandmas. They want to please their nice teachers, usually girls. They want to please friends and maybe even their friends' big sisters. Maybe that's an exaggeration, but maybe not. Depends on how cool get big sisters are.
Today Nelito was doing pull-ups on the playground. He was the only one even close to the playground. As soon as I walked over, no joke, less than thirty seconds and there were 15 elementary age boys all trying to squeeze on the pull-up bar or doing the monkey bars and looking to see if I noticed.
I need to take advantage of this power! In a good way, of course! Now that I know that they want me to be pleased with them, I need to be more intentional about speaking well of others, of encouraging fair play, of being kind and encouraging intellect--aka school attendance and grades! We have guessed that some kids come to church simply to watch the white girls sing and attempt to dance. So, girls, use your influence for good. Guys, make sure the girls you are seeking approval from are girls of character, morality and integrity.
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works" Hebrews 10:24
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