Over at The Homeschool Lounge one of the mums started a discussion Celebrating our Children’s Abilities. I thought what a great opportunity so I am posting my thoughts here and encourage you to go over to your blog and blog about your children’s abilities and then share your thoughts with your child – I’m sure they will find them encouraging. Leave a comment here and I’ll come and visit to celebrate with you!
Actually, here is her blog, where she does this regularly…. celebrating the things they can do instead of what they can’t.
I am always amazed at the differences in my children – same gene pool, same circumstances, same training philosophy and yet, very different children. God’s creative ability at work!!
Josh, 16yo, is a deep thinker, and is learning to express those thoughts in both a convincing and yet gracious way. He is a history whiz able to place both Biblical and World history in context. But to my mind his greatest ability is his awareness and care for other people. Sure this has been taught, as his natural being would be distracted and absorbed in reading and gaining knowledge. But his heart is for God, and for God’s people – this makes him aware of and available to others regardless of what else he is doing. It is also a great joy that he is investing his time and ability (thinking) to the Word of God and His truths.
Jess 14.5yo, is passionate about organising – she loves order and has developed skills and knowledge in this area and she gives of herself helping others in this area. She has a heart to worship God and is pursuing both piano and singing lessons though her personal worship is not limited to singing; she loves the Word and one of her favourite scriptures is "Whatever you find your hand to do, do it as unto the Lord…" Her heart is to help people; she sees needs and gets in and makes things happen. One of the abilities I have recently been made aware of is that she often sits there, during a family discussion, quietly flipping through her Bible and she will then quote the most pertinent verse at the most crucial time – this takes first knowing her Bible, second it takes discernment and understanding.
Nomi 12yo, is our artist and performer; she is happiest when making people laugh. This is truly a gift. She loves interesting words and they pop out at the most interesting of times. She has a knack of thinking outside the square – which just makes everyone laugh – a delightful ability. She can mimic things that she has heard only once or twice. I am amazed at how she will sit down for hours and spend on a creative project – at the moment it is teddy bear making and cross stitch. She loves children and loves helping mums out with their little ones (and is good at it!) She wants to know God’s Word well, and is learning the discipline necessary to study the Bible, and more importantly to spend time with God every day.
Daniel 10yo is a soft hearted child; he loves the Lord and talks of being a preacher. He builds, fixes and makes with incredible invention and resourcefulness. Over the years cardboard and masking tape have made the most amazing things. At the moment he is into Lego though he would love to build using wood and his tool bench. The thing that has impressed us the most with Daniel is his perseverance – he pushes through the difficult things in his life with a cheerful heart, and a determination to do his best. This ability alone will take him places.
My children have many abilities, some natural and some taught and trained, and yet I want to constantly bring back their achievements to their character and walk with God. I want them to be known for Children who walk with God.
