Have you heard the stories of starving, hurting and disease riddled children in Africa? I bet you remember seeing the heart breaking video and pictures on television. I believe that if we could look deep into the heart, soul and mind of our children, this is what we would see. An entire generation of children that are walking through life starving, hurting and disease riddled because parents do not know how to speak to their kid’s heart.
For years I struggled with speaking life and really sharing my heart with my kids. The reality is that I was embarrassed, I didn’t like feeling vulnerable and honestly it felt a little awkward and weird! So here is what I learned to do….
JOURNAL
I have given each of my kids and Jodie (my spouse) a journal. I write about my love for them, lessons I want to impart, scripture I want to share and gifts that I see in them. I use this journal to breathe life deep into their soul. I put it on their bed before they hit the sack so they typically read it before they go to bed. Sometimes they write back and place it on my bed the next day! This has taught me to communicate in a real and vulnerable way with my family. I also love that one day when they leave home they will have a collection of letters and life lessons from dad.
Pick up a journal today and start sharing your heart with your kids! Ladies, forward this to your husband or purchase a journal for them and let’s get dad started writing.
Would you like to receive epicparent’s newest posts by email? If so, click HERE or to add it to your reader click HERE.
Chris,
This is right on the money brother! I bought a nice,leather bound journal last year and began journaling prayers, thoughts, etc; strictly relating to things on my heart for my daughter.
I did this, one: because she lives 12 hours away from me and two: because I plan to give it to her on her 16th Birthday, as a way to let her know the prayers and love and seeking God’s Wisdom in all situations as they pertain to her.
Something God has been weighing on my heart for 2011, is to get back into the art of letter writing. Both to my daughter for no particular reason except to breathe life into her, and also to put that personal touch of communication back into personal relationships with leaders, friends and family – that somehow technology had replaced via e-mails, etc.
I remember getting letters from friends and family members as a child growing up and the impact it had on me. There was nothing like receiving a letter from loved ones or a phone call…something the technology age really got a lot of us out of the habit of doing.
As always, thank you for your ministry and your friendship bro!
In Him,
Danny
Chris
I love this idea! I want to share it with Nolan so we can get started right away! Our daughter would love it:). Thanks for sharing your through your blog.
Ali Bobbitt
This is a good idea. I’m saving your posts so I have a good place to look when I become a parent and have kids.
When my grandma died I couldn’t wait for the day I was alone in her house so I could search for the journal I just KNEW was there somewhere. We must have had a conversation in passing at some time about something like this. Sure enough I found it! It ended up only having two entries for me. At first I was a little sad but soon realized that just because it only had 2 entries didn’t matter. She had thought of me and wanted to leave me something special. Her 2 entries were about the day I was born and the day my daughter was born. It was only 2 entries but you know . . . that was 19 years and 5 months ago and just thinking about it makes me sit here crying like a baby!