I have been taking a class at church for the past 3 weeks in raising adolescents. It has been confirmed by our pastor that at about the age of 11; parenting becomes a whole new ball game. I was thinking I was losing it as a parent- losing the relationship all together that I've wanted to have with our daughter and most importantly not realizing the kind of relationship she desperately needs from us at her age and going forward.
I wont get into any detail about the different techniques I have been learning on communication because quite frankly they are still sinking in. Our pastor said at the beginning of this class to come prepared to learn and prepared to change. I am changing...and I am seeing results.
This past week stuck out to me enough to write about- because I know my friends will probably relate; and might even decide to ask themselves to wrestle with the same question.
It was about our emotional environment. The emotional environment of our marriage determines the emotional environment our kids live in. Interesting and so true.
We were told to think this week in detail about the emotional environment we want our children to grow up in.
The emotional environment I seek for our family...
The 1st statement that comes to mind is to be Emotionally Secure.
When in an emotional state to stand Faithful!
Isaiah 40: 29-31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like Eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint."
I heard this verse read by Charles Stanley and described as "Our Faith is our set of wings"! :) That just makes my heart smile. He also said "God wants us to soar...not sit".
It is my prayer that our family will live by and soar on our faith!
Allow tears, learn to take those tears to our Lord and pray. To be the kind of family that can also take those tears to each other and lift each other up in prayer.
Teach empathy no matter how little someone's problem may seem to us.
To have Patience to go through with one another what we may not have the patience to understand- the patience to make ourselves take the time to try and understand.
Allow God to open our eyes to see how each other deal with emotions differently, so we can be a family that lifts and builds one another up - to be encouragers & motivators of
each other REGARDLESS of what we "feel" like doing.
It is my prayer that one day with continual seeking of Gods word, prayer, work and effort that these attributes will come naturally.
I feel so blessed to be part of such a family building church!
It's not only a place to come and learn, but a place to be motivated and inspired to change- I thank God for placing our family here!
