So, here we are. . . a week over again already. . . So. . how did it go? How did you do? Did you smile?
Some things I discovered about myself this week. . . well, for one, my neutral face is not a smile. It is not so much a frown either, but it isn't happy looking. And getting that neutral face to sit in a smile all the time is a lot more work than I thought it would be. In fact, I'm not sure anyone I live with would have noticed had they not known I was working on this. I tried, I really did. I can't say I smiled MORE, but I did realize how little I was smiling at them intentionally. And knowing is the first step toward doing, right?
So, this week's focus is wrapped up pretty closely with last week's: I want to praise more often than I scold. I don't think I need to scold less. Frankly, they probably need more, I'm not exactly always on top of every offense against the rules. But, I want to praise more often than they need to be corrected. I want positive attention to PRECEDE anything they could do to offend.
For some of my kids, this will be a challenge for me. Not mentioning names, but it is sometimes hard to catch them before they are doing something devious, and I find that even when I go to find them to do something fun or praise them for something, I accidentally catch them in the act of something else. Sigh. . . so this will mean a lot of intentionality on my part. To find them, to praise them, to enjoy them. . . BEFORE. . . and hopefully have a positive impact that might help their heart delight in my presence as much as I delight in theirs.
There's the challenge for the week, folks. PRAISE THEM. Simple, huh? We'll see. . . . .
3 comments:
yayayay!!! c finally said mom! now we're going to work on auntie jen! my little c is waving her hand now...sometimes. :o) good job, kids!
Ah, praise! How easy to do yet how difficult at times, right? Build up, don't tear down. Encourage don't discourage. Everytime I promise myself this I find my foot in my mouth first! This is a challenge but one well worth the effort because it not only glorifies Him but encourages those around us. Yes, the first step is knowing and acknowledging. The next step is removing our foot from our mouth and replacing it with an encouragement. You are a blessing! Now, go smile at someone!I am smiling at you from Lancaster!
So, I was thinking this morning about you and this little ditty popped into my head (from when I was a little girl): Patience is a virtue, virtue is a grace, both put together make a very pretty face. You are beautiful Jenny!
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