What’s In Your Upbringing?

    Psychologists have discovered that children respond according to how they are treated.  In a scientific study a particular teacher was told that half of her students were exceptional, while the others were average.  After a year, the students she was told were superior had improved a full grade beyond the other half (those she was told were only average).  The interesting factor was that all the students were exactly equal intellectually.  The two groups were different only in the teacher’s mind and her treatment of them.  The results were obvious and inevitable. Those she thought were exceptional became exceptional and those she thought were average became average.  
    Socrates said to the people of Athens: “Why do you turn and scrape every stone to gather wealth and take so little care of your children to whom one day you must relinquish all?”  Exceptional parents raise exceptional children.  An unknown author has written some profound thoughts that express the influence for good or evil that we exert on others.  While his words refer to parents in particular they can also apply to all of us in general. After reading each thought, ask yourself, “What are others learning from me?”
    If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.  If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.  If a child lives with fear, he learns to be paranoid.  If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.  If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilty.  If a child lives with inferiority, he learns to feel inadequate and unwanted.  If a child lives with lies, he learns to be a liar and believe his own lies.
    If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be self-confident.  If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.  If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.  If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.  If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.  If a child lives with recognition, he learns to have goals. If a child lives with fairness, he learns what justice is.  If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is.  If a child lives with sincerity, he learns to have faith in himself and those around him.  If a child lives with love, he learns that the world is a wonderful place to live in.  If a child is taught the love of God by word and example, he learns to be steadfast, faithful, and successful.  
    Yes, we live in a time of social rot, expansion of evil, and pathetic morals.  And the world isn’t improving.  Have we reached a time where we should call it quits concerning having a family?  Absolutely not!!  Now is the time to take the bull by the horns and stand for what is morally right.  We must take more of a strong role in our children’s lives.  Let’s not forget history.  Pharaoh was killing Hebrew babies when Moses was born.  His parents protected him, taught him right from wrong, and lived a righteous life before him.  In spite of a tweaked world, he became a godly leader.

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