Soaking Up the Praise
Theme of the Week: Two, Four, Six, Eight; Who Do We Appreciate?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:24). Bonus Reading: Deuteronomy 3:28, Proverbs 15:23, Ephesians 4:29
James was out on his first "daddy/daughter date" with his four year old. They'd gone to a local fast-food restaurant where his daughter ordered pancakes.
When the food came, the father took her hand in his and prayed for the food. He then told her, "I want you to know how much I love you and how special your are to Mom and me. We couldn't be prouder of the wonderful girl you're growing up to be. If we lined up every girl your age in the whole city—and we could pick only one—guess who we'd choose every time? You!"
Finished, James released his daughter's hand and picked up his fork, but he never got the fork to his mouth. His daughter reached out her little hand and laid it on top of his. In a soft voice, she pleaded, "Longer, Daddy. Longer."
After James listed more reasons and ways they loved her, he finally got to eat his breakfast. But that morning his daughter was hungrier for his words of praise than pancakes. Did all that affirmation really make a difference? A few weeks later, this same daughter ran up to her mother, jumped in her arms, and spontaneously said, "Mommy, I'm a really special daughter. Daddy told me so."
—John Trent in Christian Parenting Today
My Response: Today I'll look for and voice something praiseworthy for each family member.
Thought to Apply: Let's play darts, Dad. I'll throw and you say, "Great shot!" —a little boy
Adapted from our sister publication Christian Parenting Today (Summer/05).
Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Teach me, Lord, how to mirror you by becoming a positive force in the lives of my family and acquaintances.
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