Intentional Parenting Sample

The Opportunity to Cultivate a Strong Heart

Children are sponges. They absorb almost everything. But they especially crave affirmation—life-giving words from the people they trust.

That puts parents in a very powerful position. Your children will hear lots of voices during their growing-up years, but your words will be the loudest.

Romans 12:10 says, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

That’s a great principle in every relationship, but it’s especially powerful in your family. It becomes even more powerful when you focus on who your child is rather than what they do.

They need to hear and feel your encouragement regardless of how well they perform. They’ll hear plenty of negative, critical words from their culture and some of their peers.

Whatever you focus your words on will grow.

• It’s easy to point out what needs to improve rather than what’s going well.

• Frequent comments about bad habits actually reinforce them.

• If children hear you emphasizing their flaws, they will lose heart.

• If they hear you celebrating their gifts, their hearts grow strong.

Thoughtless words can leave behind scars that are difficult to overcome. Emotionally healthy children are those who have gotten plenty of affirmation.

If your words are like water on the fertile ground of your children’s hearts, why not shower them liberally on the seeds you want to grow? Intentionally overwhelm them with affirmation and affection with the voice that matter most—yours.