A New Year’s Resolution

Parents, as you are making resolutions for the New Year, can I suggest that you consider one having to do with encouraging those around you, in particular, your children.

Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) was a Puritan, known to his contemporaries as “The Sweet Dropper.” I’m not sure exactly what that nickname means, but he must have been an encouraging guy. Consider his comments on encouragement from his book, The Bruised Reed, page 22:

Many, so far as in us lies, are lost for want of encouragement.It is not the best way, to assail young beginners with minor matters, but to show them a more excellent way and train them in fundamental points. It is not amiss to conceal their defects, to excuse some failings, to commend their performances, to encourage their progress, to remove all difficulties out of their way, to help them in every way to bear the yoke of religion with greater ease, to bring them to love God and his service, lest they acquire a distaste for it before they knew it.

Are you aware of spiritual performance in your teens that you can commend, or progress that you can encourage? By all means, tell them today.

Categories: Thursday Thoughts For Parents, five15 blog