My grandchildren have been raised in a home where the parents have a pretty light-handed approach to structure and discipline. While this approach is significantly different than my own, I see the great benefit in children having a little more freedom than I am inclined to give. The children are growing up to be confident, secure and loving towards one another and others. I am not so short-sighted as to say they are perfect children or that a completely laissez-faire approach to parenting is the very best way to handle parenting, but it does seem to work for this family.
Children who are raised in a more relaxed environment have typically got less anxiety. They are not always worried about disappointing someone or breaking rules. This is quite true of my grandchildren. They are joyful and happy people. This came shining through at an award ceremony a their school. The school focuses on a positive character trait each month. The do little lessons about the character trait and encourage the children to practice displaying that character trait in their lives. At the end of the month, each class picks a child from the class to receive a little award based on who has displayed the character trait of the month with some consistency. On the month in question, the character trait was "Optimism". The character trait must not only be displayed in one's inner attitude but must also be expressed to peers and an uplifting and beneficial way.
I have 3 grandchildren in this school. Each child is in a different grade and has different teachers. All three of my grandchildren received the "Optimism" award. The teachers were as stunned as the parents were that one family made a sweep of the optimism award.
Children who are raised in a more relaxed environment have typically got less anxiety. They are not always worried about disappointing someone or breaking rules. This is quite true of my grandchildren. They are joyful and happy people. This came shining through at an award ceremony a their school. The school focuses on a positive character trait each month. The do little lessons about the character trait and encourage the children to practice displaying that character trait in their lives. At the end of the month, each class picks a child from the class to receive a little award based on who has displayed the character trait of the month with some consistency. On the month in question, the character trait was "Optimism". The character trait must not only be displayed in one's inner attitude but must also be expressed to peers and an uplifting and beneficial way.
I have 3 grandchildren in this school. Each child is in a different grade and has different teachers. All three of my grandchildren received the "Optimism" award. The teachers were as stunned as the parents were that one family made a sweep of the optimism award.
Optimism = hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.
To say I am proud is an understatement. I am not only proud of my grandchildren, but also of their parents whose strong example and light-hearted approach are clearly positively impacting. What a lovely legacy.
So what does this have to do with a God moment. It has been my experience the God handles me much the same way my son handles his children ... He gives me rope to hang myself. That is to say, He is not so restrictive that I am forever looking over my shoulder wondering if I am meeting the mark. God rewards my intent to focus on Him with peace, blessing or sustaining power. On the other hand when I stray, I do not get clobbered. No, God gives me the space to discover that I am off track. The end result is that I have found and continue to find that God is very reliable. He is present, helpful and instructive. He gets firm with me when He must, but He is not a bully or domineering. What an amazing way for Him to parent me. I am abundantly grateful for His patience with me and His willingness to let me learn appropriate truths at appropriate times.
So what does this have to do with a God moment. It has been my experience the God handles me much the same way my son handles his children ... He gives me rope to hang myself. That is to say, He is not so restrictive that I am forever looking over my shoulder wondering if I am meeting the mark. God rewards my intent to focus on Him with peace, blessing or sustaining power. On the other hand when I stray, I do not get clobbered. No, God gives me the space to discover that I am off track. The end result is that I have found and continue to find that God is very reliable. He is present, helpful and instructive. He gets firm with me when He must, but He is not a bully or domineering. What an amazing way for Him to parent me. I am abundantly grateful for His patience with me and His willingness to let me learn appropriate truths at appropriate times.
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