Encouraging Eager Hands Part 6
______________________________________
Encouraging Eager Hands
A 7 Part Mini-Course
Publish by: Teaching Good Things
http://TeachingGoodThings.com
Jeff and Kathy Brodock
______________________________________
PART 6
Enjoy the Fruit of Your Labor
Reward does not always mean cash, but the satisfaction of a job well done, knowing they have done their best. Work is a good thing, even when it is hard. Reward in the form of gold star stickers (for the very young), cash or other material gain is good. But at the same time, children should not be ‘paid’ for everything they do, this is unrealistic. Adults, especially moms and dads do LOTS of jobs with no pay or recognition, but we know it is to glorify our Lord. We know there is a bigger picture that God is drawing with our lives, children need to learn that too. At the same time it is good to receive and enjoy the fruit of their labors, this can be anything from a couple of extra hours playing with dad, to getting a few extra dollars at the end of the week.
As parents, we will enjoy the fruit of our labor of training these children. It may take several years but it will be so worth it. As parents of older children that are now in their teens we can tell you that having children that are skilled in many areas it is a pure joy.
What does the worker gain from his toil?
Ecclesiastes 3:9
From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
Proverbs 12:14
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,
to mind your own business and to work with your hands,
just as we told you.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
Rest
Children need to rest just as adults do:
…but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God.
On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter,
nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.
Exodus 20:10
Set an example with YOUR attitude and diligence. The old saying, ‘more is caught than taught’ is so true.
Our job as parents is to teach our children as we walk along side them. Our children learn more from what we ‘DO’ than what we ‘say’. They will learn as they watch us as we carry out our responsibilities; are we through? Do we complain about our duties? Does our attitude stink? Do we look for ways to meet the needs of people around us? I think these are the two most important things to do! Pray and walk our talk!
Include you children in everything you do from shopping to mopping the floors. Start out slowly, not expecting perfection. Be VERY selective in what outside activities, even ministries to take part in. Time with our children is so short, although it may not feel like it on a bad day. Love them, play with them, and teach them to be givers, not takers. Just take one day at a time, and enjoy them because before you know it they will be teaching the next generation! I honestly believe we make life too complicated thinking we have to do it all, and have it all. More than anything, know our total dependence is on Christ alone!
Pressing On!
Jeff and Kathy Brodock
