Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
November 1, 1993
Good Morning!
Recently our twenty-four year old son was married. Wes and his
bride Jeanna are all any parents could ask for:
Committed to Christ and focused in the direction of their lives.
The same is true of our daughter Julie and her husband Darrin.
What were the ingredients that contributed toward Wes and
Julie "making it":
#1 We tried to model the qualities we desired to build
into our children.
"My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe
my ways." (Proverbs 23:26)
#2 We were there for them.
Our first priority after God was our children, and they
knew it. Twice we canceled our career plans when our children
needed us; Ruth put her career on hold to be Mom.
"Encourage the young women to (be)...workers at home..."
(Titus 2:3,5; ASV)
#3 We were consistent and fair in our discipline.
"For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?...If
you are without discipline...you are illegitimate children and
not sons...Fathers, don't overcorrect your children..."
(Hebrews 12:7, 8; Ephesians 6:4 (Phillips Translation))
#4 We concentrated on building self-esteem.
There were a lot of "You can do it!" "We are
so privileged to have you in our family!" "You
are such a neat kid!" -- Proverbs 15:4 tells us that "a
soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes
the spirit."
#5 Our home was a fun-filled, happy place.
We did not bicker; everyone was accepted unconditionally;
we laughed at our mistakes - not at each other. We cheered
each other on. We celebrated family with vacations, cards,
traditions, and fun.
"Let him who means to love life and see good days refrain
his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile...a joyful
heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."
(I Peter 3:10; Proverbs 17:22)
So hang in there! There is light at the end of the tunnel,
and it's not a freight train!
Have a good week!
Dwight Hill
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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