Focus on the Heart: Point Out Where You See Jesus

When was the last time you told your kids what they’re doing right? Most of us are quick to catch the eye rolls and unfinished chores, but our kids are showing glimpses of Jesus every day. This week, let’s get just as intentional about pointing out the good as we are about correcting the bad, and help our kids see how God is growing them.

As parents, we become experts at spotting what our kids are doing wrong, don’t we?

“Don’t talk to your sister like that.”
“You didn’t clean your room like you were supposed to.”
“Stop interrupting.”
“Don’t roll your eyes at me!”

It seems like some days, that’s all we do. Kids do need correction and that’s part of our role as their parents. But if that’s most of what they hear from us, they can start to believe that we only see the bad stuff.

It is said that for every one criticism, we need four or five positive comments just to balance it out. 

So, let’s get just as intentional about noticing the good stuff as we notice the bad stuff. What if we start purposefully watching for the small moments when our kids' character is growing? 

What if we open our attention to moments when they look like Jesus?

Maybe they told the truth, even though they knew it would get them in trouble. Maybe they took the initiative to help clean up the mess without being asked. Maybe they were patient in a moment when they’d usually blow up. 

Our kids have hundreds of good behaviors throughout the day and sometimes we don’t even notice them at all. Or sometimes we notice it quietly in our heads but we don’t say it out loud to our kids.

This week, start telling your kids loud and clear when you notice them acting like Jesus. 

“I saw what you did for your friend today. That was really kind.”
“You told the truth even though it was hard. I’m proud of you.”
“I saw you forgive your brother. That’s not easy, and I loved seeing it.”
“You’re growing in patience, and I want you to know I’ve noticed.”

Our kids need encouragement as much as they need correction. 

And there’s something especially powerful about helping them see how God is growing them. Sometimes kids can’t see their own growth yet and that’s where we come in. We can be the voice that says, “I see it. I see how you’re changing. I see how God is growing you.”

Let’s get in the habit of working just as hard at catching our kids doing something right as we do at catching them doing something wrong. Let’s intentionally look for those little glimpses of Jesus and then celebrate them.

Maybe one of the best gifts we can give them is the reminder that God is already at work in their hearts, and He isn’t finished with them yet.

 

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