Dear Child, today we’ll be learning about corrections and instructions. As children, you know you don’t know everything. You still need the help of adults around you to give you instructions and correct you when you need it.
Corrections won’t always go on your good side, that’s because you will be scolded when need be.
As a child, taking instructions is necessary. You always need someone to guide and direct you so you don’t hurt yourself or make grievous mistakes
See what the bible says;
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. –Proverbs 9: 8-9(KJV)
When a wise man is rebuked (corrected), he will love the person that corrects him more. Why is this? It’s because he loves to be corrected and he or she has realized that it’s only people who love you and want the best for you that will correct you.
You also should love to be corrected, regardless of how you feel after you have been rebuked.
When your parents and adults around you correct you, it’s not because they hate you, it’s because they love you and want you to do better.
Another thing this verse says is that, when instruction is given to a wise person, he or she becomes wiser.
It’s interesting, isn’t it? It’s true because a wise child will follow every instruction given to him or her. This will inevitably make the child wiser because you do what you are told to do and you learn from it.
Do you want to be wiser, smarter and better at what you do? Then what you need to do is accept every correction and follow every instruction you are given, and you will see a great transformation in what you do and how you do it.
May God help you to take corrections.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to listen when I am corrected.
ACTION PLAN: Put up the right attitude whenever you are corrected.
Responsibility is a great virtue. A responsible child at home will not only bring joy to the hearts of her parents but also society. There are things you do at home that speak a lot about how responsible or irresponsible you are. Irresponsibility is the opposite of responsibility.
One of such is helping around the house.
Do you know what your chores are at home? Do you have to be told before you do them? How often are you asked to carry out tasks or chores around the house before you do?
Do you frown and drag your feet sluggishly? Do you give excuses as to why you shouldn’t or couldn’t your chores?
How you answer the questions above tells a lot about you.
When you learn how to not avoid your responsibilities at a young age, you become a responsible adult. And a responsible adult is of great benefit to society and the world.
Stress is a daily part of our lives. We can’t hide from it but can only find ways to minimize its effects on us. A little stress though is good for us.
Children also experience stress. It could be a bully at school, a harsh teacher, or even an uncomfortable classroom. At home, it could be rifts between siblings, parental discord, or the death of a family member or friend.
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
1 Sam 3:8 KJV
Older children often are able to identify something that is bothering them (i.e. a stress to them), unlike younger ones who have not acquired the capacity to do so.
Children don’t and can’t manage stress the way adults do. It shows through their words, actions, and behaviours.
Little Samuel heard God calling to him but didn’t know what to do. He ran to Eli every time he heard God’s voice asking if the old priest was the one calling him. Eli identified that it was God calling little Samuel. He then told Samuel what to say when next he heard the voice.
The bible doesn’t record that Samuel experienced any stress but it was a situation that was new to him. He couldn’t process it and went to the only person he knew that could help. And Eli was able to help him.
Parents must be observant to notice any change in their children. Children won’t tell you what is disturbing them immediately, even when you ask. Only by observing can a parent find out. Parents must give total attention to children when they are speaking.
Declaration: My children are not under stress. They learn to speak out. They are surrounded daily by the right people.
Prayer (parent): Lord, help me to be truly observant about my child(ren). Help me to notice the changes in them no matter how subtle they may be. Amen.
Action plan: Parent, sit down and watch your child today. Go through their things, room, and find things you never noticed before.