S.O.A.P. for 09-16 My Child..

Proverbs 23: 15-16.
My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice!
Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.

O: How connected we are to our children, that when they behave negatively, oh how it can hurt our heart! Not only do we have to correct them, but we have to hurt for them as well. And it somehow makes us feel as though we've missed the mark somehow.. Oh, but when they get it right! Oh, when they get it right! Our hearts feel as thought they will explode from our chest, and our smile widens, and we just look up to You, Lord and say Thank You for that one! But do we remember to share that moment with the one that got it right? Does he/she know how you felt right then as a parent? Or did you look on, but hold it inside? How will they know? How will they know to do it again?

A: I need to remind myself always, that with the good comes the bad and vice versa. I am quick to "nip it in the bud" when something is wrong, but how quick am I to celebrate it when it's right? I need to keep myself in check with the positive re-enforcement as well. I know I try to, but what is the ratio? If they can feel the joy and gladness that they create when they do something right, won't they want to be in that place again? I do not want to let them down and leave them feeling empty for something truly well done, or well said. Let my tongue be quick to praise my children in nurturing the positive. I understand the need for discipline, but I can also understand the need for praise and encouragement as well. I must try to make the positive out-weigh the negative so that my children don't feel that is all they hear.
For I know that my God loves me, but His word doesn't speak incessantly of discipline, it speaks of His love, and His mercy, and His grace, and His sacrifice. Yes the rules, and "hopes" for us are in there, along with a wonderful, amazing, love. I an only hope that I make My Father's Heart Rejoice one day as well.

P: Abba Father, I come to you with Praise and Thanksgiving for who You are and for what You are doing, and for creating me to be a living vessel for You. I honor You and love You so very much. Lord, please help me to raise my children in a way that You see fit. Lord, touch my heart and remind me when I need to respond to something good in them. Sometimes, wrapped up in the business and chaos of life, I know I just "accept" the good and think to myself, whew, ok, at least they're being good right now. But did I say anything? Did I respond? Or did I just think it to myself, more as a relief that there were no problems at the moment. Once the bad happens, I'm quick to jump up and take care of it and verbalize...so what am I dishing out more of? Oh Lord, impress this on my heart that the scales should weigh much more on the positive, if that is the kind of person I want them to be. I beseech You to help me not be a burden to them, but an encouragement! Open my eyes and my heart to be responsive in all things...as You are responsive to me in all things.. Oh How I feel You rejoice within me when I've gotten something right. Oh, Lord, to be able to give my children that feeling... I'm truly sorry, and I thank you for revealing this need in our family. I know I do it, but Lord, I have to admit, I know I've not been doing it enough. Busy-shmizy, it's no excuse and I accept that and admit that and ask for Your forgiveness and Help.. Thank You for listening to Your child, and I pray to commit to being more Christ-like in "raising my children"...

In Jesus Name,
All Glory and Honor be Yours,
Amen