Tell them you love them!

How many of us adults remember our parents telling us how much they love us? Have we also heard and seen how proud they are of us, of their children? Many loving parents have said similar things to their children while they were growing up. Some of us have parents who have expressed such thoughts only after their children have grown and come to visit. Sadly, a large number of adults cannot recall such thoughts ever being communicated to them. In fact, many adults never knew they were the pride and joy of their parents. Unfortunate, but most of these parents had also never heard from their parents how important they are to them. That's why they had no example that they could pass on to us, their children. Children need to hear how important they are to their parents. If that happens, it will have a decisive impact on her whole life.

God gives us a beautiful example of excellent parenting. He was very direct when it came to sharing his feelings with his son, Jesus. Twice God expressed his joy over Jesus. When Jesus was baptized, a voice spoke from heaven, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3,17). What child would not like to hear such words from their parents' mouths? What effect would it have on you to hear such excitement and appreciation from your parents?

When Jesus was transfigured, a voice spoke out of the cloud: «This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; you shall hear it!" (Mt17,5). Again, God the Father expresses His exceedingly great joy in His Son!

You might say now, that's all well and good for God and Jesus, after all Jesus was the perfect son and God the perfect father. Personally, you may feel that you don't deserve anyone telling you such things. I ask you, are you a Christian? In the epistle to the Romans, Paul explains how God sees you: "There is therefore no more condemnation for those who are of Christ Jesus" (Romans 8,1 New Life Bible). You are a child of God, a brother or sister of Jesus: «For you have not received a spirit of bondage to fear again; but you have received a spirit of adoption, by which we cry: Abba, dear father! The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8,15-16).

Did you get that? Perhaps you may feel judged and humiliated too often. God doesn't see you that way. This may be difficult for you to grasp. Maybe you grew up with nothing but judgments. Your parents were quick to judge you and show you how badly you failed their expectations. Your siblings constantly criticized you. Your employer is quick to tell you what nonsense you are doing and you feel very insecure in such a situation. You always feel like you're being judged. It is therefore difficult for you to imagine that God does not feel and express himself in the same way.

Why did Jesus come into our world? He tells us: "God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him" (John 3,17). Incomprehensible! God doesn't sit in heaven looking down on you to judge you. God damn not! God doesn't look at everything you do wrong. You may see it that way, but God sees you perfectly in Jesus! Because you are in Christ, God says of you what He said of Jesus. Listen carefully! If you are a man, He says to you, "This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased!" If you are a woman, He tells you these words: "This is my daughter, in whom I am well pleased!" Do you hear it?

God gives us a glorious example of how he sees us who are in Christ. He shows us parents how to treat our children. You may never have heard from your parents that you were their pride. Would you like your children to look back on parents who never told them they were a great joy? Do not let that happen!

Talk to each and every child of your children. Say to each child personally: You are my child and I am glad that you are. I love you. You are very important to me and my life is richer because you are there. Maybe you've never done this before. Does the thought of it make you uncomfortable and uncomfortable? We know that such words will have a life-changing impact on the children. Children will change, they will be stronger and more confident, just because the most important of all adults, their parents, have given them a declaration of love, dear son, dear daughter. Don't let another week go by without letting your child hear what they need to hear from you, how valuable they are to you. Don't let another week go by without hearing what your Heavenly Father is telling you. Listen! "This is my dear son, this is my dear daughter, I love you infinitely!"

by Dennis Lawrence