MOMENTS FOR MOMS
When You Say "No,"
What Do You Really Mean?
By Kimberly Snider
Missionary to the Philippines
CBN.com
- "When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do
I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath
I say, 'Yes, yes' and 'No, no'?"
(2 Corinthians 1:17).
Yesterday, I was watching a cute little girl and her mother at
the mall. The 4-year-old kept her mother busy listening as she
pointed out all the candy and toys she wanted.
Her mother was really tired. The child looked fully rested and
ready to go.
" Chocolate, Mommy! Happy Meal! McDonald's!" This little
girl was ready for any and all of the above.
I will say this for the mother; she tried to be firm. At first
she said "no" to all the requests. She even sat down
with her daughter and explained carefully that they didn¹t
have enough money today. They had to buy school supplies for her
brother. But the child persisted. She pouted; she started to cry;
she kept begging. Soon she was stuffing her mouth with candy while
her mother returned two notebooks to the shelf at the bookstore.
Who won here? The mother didn't. Neither did the brother. Neither
did the little girl, really. But she learned something. Do you
know what it was? She learned when she wanted her own way she
could have it if she begged hard enough. She learned she had to
be persistent and manipulative to succeed.
Here's what she didn't learn:
-Education is more important than candy.
-When her mother said "no" she meant it.
-Self-control and obedience.
-Loving her older brother by thinking of his needs.
We all get tired, but stay firm. You owe it to your child.
| 
From
"Moments for Moms," a free email subscription. Copyright
(c) 2005 Women's
Ministries of the Assemblies of God. Reprinted with
permission.
"Moments For Moms" is written by Kimberly Snider,
a missionary to the Philippines and host of the radio program
"Moments for Mothers." The radio program is produced by
Asia Pacific Media Ministries. The online edition, "Moments
for Moms," is produced and distributed by Media Ministries
of the Assemblies of God, Springfield, Missouri. |
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
|
|