“Hey, you’re an important person.” But often those opportunities are wrapped up in frustrating moments, and it’s hard to know the best way to react when your child’s behavior challenges you. Should you scold and demand your child fix the problem, or should you leap to action and take care of the matter yourself? Should you discourage a child’s negative behavior by overwhelming him with affection, or should you ignore the behavior altogether? As a parent or care- giver, how can you determine what your child needs from you from one moment to the next?

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The trick is to ask yourself, What is my

child trying to tell me?

So Michelle splashed water on the floor. Did she mean to make a mess, or did it happen by accident while she was trying to relate to her mother? Children aren’t fine-tuned enough to always use the right words or behavior to communi- cate what’s in their hearts; you must take the time to figure it out. Easier said than done, I know—but if the aim is to raise them into healthy, self-sufficient human beings, it’s worth the effort. “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 NASB). Kathy looked down into her daugh- ter’s round face, took the red bucket from her hands, lifted it to her mouth and pretended to drink. Then she gave a loud, satisfied sigh and said, “You were very thoughtful to bring Mommy some water because you thought she was thirsty. You were very helpful, thank you.” Michelle beamed, and Kathy scooped her up and kissed her forehead. And then she asked if Michelle needed help mopping up the water on the floor.

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Marie Marthe Laguerre is executive

director of Generation Hope in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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EVANGEL • MAY 2010 23

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Learning From Mom

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by Roby Walker

HERE IS A STORY of a little boy whose father had died a year earlier and the mother was work- ing hard to keep the family together. His three sisters had worked to purchase a Mother’s Day gift, but he was too young to work.

Walking through the streets of his small town, he found a dollar bill. He picked it up and went into a flower shop. He asked the owner if he could buy at least one flower for his mother. “Wait here, young man,” responded the mer- chant, “and I’ll see what I can do.” The owner returned with 12 beautiful red roses, greenery, and baby’s breath. He placed them in a long white box and he told the boy, “That will be one dol- lar, young man.” The merchant saw the boy’s hesitation and said, “I just happen to have some roses on sale today for $1 a dozen.”

After the boy left, the owner’s wife came and asked, “What was that about?” The man said, “This morning when I was opening up I felt impressed

to set aside a dozen of our best roses for someone. When I saw that little boy, I knew the roses were for him.” One lesson that most mothers try to teach their children is that of being unselfish. God’s Word also teaches that lesson: “Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16 NKJV).

Heavenly Father, Your Word teaches us that when we honor our mothers, we honor You. As we have learned from both Your Word and from loving examples at home, help us to understand the difference a giving person can make in a world where so many people are focused on taking. Help us to honor both You and our parents in the way that we live and give. Amen.

Roby Walker has more than 15 years experience in human resources manage- ment. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Excerpted from his book Money Talks (Pathway Press). Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33