My Spiritual Writing Journey for Children and Teenager Books
Straight Talk:
DEAR PARENTS,
In the bible, you will read multiple verses showing God is INSTRUCTING how to raise and teach our children. Plus, Jesus is teaching our children about the importance of showing love and respect to our neighbors. In the scriptures, in the book of Ephesians 4:32, your children will learn about the importance of forgiving one another just like Jesus forgave us. Jesus emphasizes words of advice such as, "Be kind and compassionate to one another." Ephesians 6:2-4 is a vital scripture for children to follow because it teaches them to respect us! 'Honor your father and mother' which is the first commandment with a promise "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." I'm sure every parent wants their children to love, honor, and respect them! The truths found in the bible work much better when taught in our lives as a child.
Psalms 127:3 Says, "Children are a gift from the Lord, They are a reward from Him." As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children why it is essential to understand and listen to God's words. Writing this children's book is a big blessing because I know that connecting you and your child to the bible's scriptures and primarily when you teach them to apply the biblical principles, God will bless you and your family! God promises us in Isaiah 55:11 that "His Word will NEVER return to Him VOID but WILL ACCOMPLISH for Him the purpose for which He sent it!" The word void means empty. Parents, let's agree in prayer for the Holy Spirit to bless every child that reads this book with the fruitage of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. I am hoping and praying for a beautiful TRANSFORMATION to take place in your child's life!
"Train up a child in the way he should go even when he is old he will not depart from it." Parents, don't be surprised if your child shows some negative attitudes or resistance when explaining the bible to them. I recommend that you continue with patience and determination because you are the parent, and you know it is your responsibility to set your child on the divine path to righteousness! Try to make your bible study time enjoyable, and be creative because boredom will make your child dislike their bible journey!
Here's one of my favorite scriptures: "Your WORD is a LAMP to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105 Let your child know that many people are lost in this world that we live in because they are walking in the darkness. Just like the scripture said, God's word will prevent you from walking in darkness because it will be a lamp or bright light to your feet as you walk through your paths of life! I pray that your child believes that God is giving them the tools to help them grow into a faith-loving servant of the Lord that comes with many, many beautiful blessings!
People think that an affirmation is always positive sayings, but that is not true. Any thought we tell ourselves or believe about ourselves will be an affirmation, even if it is positive or negative! It is up to us as to which commitments we choose to say to ourselves or allow our children to believe! When I was six years old, I had a teacher who told me I was a bad little girl! Guess what I believed those negative thoughts she put in my head. So I became the bad little girl she said that I was. That was the first time I received an UNSATISFACTORY AND UNCOOPERATIVE negative mark on my report card under CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR!
Remember when someone tells your child: "You are ugly!" "You are stupid!" Or "You are never going to succeed!" Unfortunately, we don't always know what our children are receiving when they are at school or watching television. Why not encourage your child to choose a positive point of view of themselves by having them recite positive affirmations such as: "I am important!" "I am a good student!" "I love myself!" Or "I am intelligent!"
Most importantly, parents, don't you make a mistake and say NEGATIVE AFFIRMATIONS to your children when you get angry at them! You will damage your Child's Self-Image and Self-Esteem if you do that. Our children look up to us and adore us. The opinions we have about them are significant. They need words of praise and encouragement. So flatter them with SPIRITUAL POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS as much as possible. I promise you if you use positive reinforcement strategies, you won't regret it!
Remember This: "Life is a JOURNEY, and our life will experience LESSONS of HARD ACHES, HEARTBREAKS, DISAPPOINTMENTS, HAPPINESS, CELEBRATIONS, and Unexpected Events that can be POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE. Sometimes it can even result in PAIN and SUFFERING that will ULTIMATELY and SURPRISINGLY LEAD you to your GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE IN LIFE!" God Bless You and Your Loved Ones! Chaplain Charlotte