Getting at the heart . . . after His own heart

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” ~Proverbs 25:28, KJV

“And if a man or woman know not how to rule their own spirit how shall they care for their offspring?” Taken from A Word to Parents: Introduction by Arthur Walkington Pink (1886-1952).

“Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.” ~Proverbs 20:5, KJV

You can read these words because you learned your ABCs. Started out basic, but now you use them to learn about whatever you want. In one sense, the universe has opened up to you. And it all started with your ABCs.

That said, it can be a fight to rule our own spirits, sift through the plethora of words that compete for our attention in this world, and make wise choices each day. How can we find the wisdom to care for our children, teaching them what they need to know to live well under God? New parents, what would your child most like to express to you if he or she could? What would your child most like for you to express to him or her? How important is listening and the connection you have? Can your relationship help set the stage for their future relationships? New and experienced parents, how can you learn what your children need from you?

Answers to these questions can be found by investing time now to stop and think, and learn about God’s will for you as you practice the parent-child relationship. This investment can yield spiritual and emotional dividends for years to come…and into eternity.

Welcome to the journey where you can start from wherever you are, learn to engage your children, draw them out, become involved with them on spiritual and emotional levels, and discover your triggers - the sins that keep you from listening and loving the way, by God’s grace, you now want to.

“For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” ~ Jeremiah 2:13, KJV

You are the parent to the children you have by God’s design. Welcome to the journey God provides each day where you can start from wherever you are, uncover God’s plan for you with your children by learning His Word, and make changes on the inside that will transform your relationships. These are the ABCs we can learn throughout our lives.

On this website, you will find a Bible Search Tool and many articles that offer specific recommendations to help you in your parenting. ABCs of What Children Need from their Parents — ABCs You Can Learn Throughout Your Lives is a parenting journal, that in conjunction with, and used under the Bible’s overriding authority, can be a tool to help build skills and practice covenant relationships so you can give to your child as God leads your thoughts.

My prayer is that, whatever it takes, we will fight to build the skills we need to equip ourselves and our children to be discerning in this world. And as we seek God’s face, He promises that He will fight for us. If you would like to know more about God, the Bible, Parenting, or the ABCs Parenting Journal, please send an email to ABCsConnection@Yahoo.com, or use the comment box below. May God bless you as you strive to be the best parent you can be!

Reviews:
“Every day people with little or no training become parents. As local author Karen Wallace writes in her new book, The ABCs of What Children Need from Their Parents (ABCs Connection, 2004), ‘It is a humbling and awesome stewardship,’ to be parents, regardless of age — and taking the time to learn from our children can make families stronger, healthier and happier.

For time-pressed parents, daunted by pages and pages of training manuals and how-to guides, Wallace recommends her at-a-glance book of inspirations and reflections. Each page represents a letter of the alphabet, with words or concepts intended to help in the practice of parenting. When child-rearing feels like a liability instead of an asset, The ABCs of What Children Need from Their Parents can be a helpful tool to keep all parties listening, responding and learning.” — Carolina Parent - www.carolinaparent.com

“A recent publication through ABCs Connection has similar goals [to the Take 15 Campaign] regarding developing strong connections with children, Karen Wallace of ABCs Connection released a publication entitled ABCs of What Children Need from their Parents: ABCs You Can Learn Throughout Your Lives. This parenting book/journal encourages an emotional connection between parents and children of any age. Ms. Wallace states, “Just as the alphabet is the foundation for every word, sentence, paragraph, chapter and book, so is the parent/child relationship the root for all subsequent relationships at all levels.” For more information on this publication and ABCsConnection’s effort to provide community support, visit www.ABCsConnection.com.” — Mental Health Association/North Carolina Newsletter - www.mha-nc.org