MOMENTS FOR MOMS
A Better Gift
By Kimberly Snider
Missionary to the Philippines
CBN.com
- "For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge
and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6).
It is fun to give things to our children, and it is important to choose
the best gifts. The best gifts are not always material ones.
When I was small, there was a rule in our house. I was never supposed
to ask for anything when we went to the market or the mall. I was never
supposed to ask my grandparents, relatives or the friends we visited to
give me anything. I was not supposed to beg my mom for toys or new clothes.
Not ever.
If I did not ask, sometimes I got what I wanted. If I asked, I definitely
did not get it.
This may have been extreme, but it did teach me some things. I learned
not to beg for things from adults. I learned money was hard to come by
and should not be wasted. I learned I could not have everything I wanted.
I learned to work at a very early age.
What was the better gift: a new Barbie doll, or this knowledge?
Next time your children ask you for something, pause and think.
If they are small and need new shoes or school supplies, give them what
they need. If they are older, ask yourself what they need more: the things
they are asking for, or knowledge about self-control and earning money
themselves.
Sometimes you need to give. Other times, your children need to learn
self-control. At some point, they need to learn how to work for what they
want.
Saying "no" instead of "yes" could be a better
gift.
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From
"Moments for Moms," a free email subscription. Copyright (c)
2004 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.
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