NIV 365-Day Devotional Plan (2017)Sample

No Hiding, More Seeking

When a child has something to hide, they hide. If your toddler is in the house, and it’s been quiet for too long, you know something is up. But teens are of even more concern.

A teen will often avoid their family no matter what, but if there are things they are concealing, their avoidance can jump to a whole new level. Christian teens are notorious for hiding because of the guilt they feel in knowing God’s commands and principles but choosing to ignore them.

Encouraging your children to talk to you, especially when they are doing things you have forbidden will be difficult, but not impossible. It will take patience and restraint because you will want to know the truth no matter how bad it might hurt. You need to boldly strive for that level of trust in order to keep your children from falling into more sin. If you can manage those conversations with control, you will have more of an opportunity to guide them toward a more righteous, open and honest life.

Parenting Principle

Wise parents talk with their children about things that they don’t really want to talk about.

Points to Ponder

*Can you remember times when your children were hiding from you?

*How are you doing in talking openly and honestly with your children?

*What are you doing to be more open in your conversations?

Taken from Once a Day Nurturing Great Kids