JANUARY 3

PROVERBS 1:8-9

OBEDIENT CHILDREN MAKE A BEAUTIFUL HOME

"Ming! Don’t run so fast. Wait for me!" Shouting at the top of her voice, Mom was pushing the pram, with Baby Ling snoozing in it. She pushed as fast as she could to catch up with Ming. Startled by the jerks, Baby Ling started to bawl. Mommy was afraid of losing sight of Ming and did not stop to comfort Baby Ling. en, Ming came to a stop abruptly and pointed  to a water gun and demanded, "I want that Mommy!" As soon as Mom caught her breath,she replied,"No,Ming.I am not buying that."Then,came stomping of feet and a bawl of protest from Ming. Ming was not listening to Mom’s pleas for him to stop the tantrum. He was not prepared to obey her. Mom was ustered and embarrassed. Isn’t this an ugly scene common at shopping malls?

Let us look at a di erent scene. Jia Ern’s family was taking an evening stroll in the park. Auntie Angie came along and commented; "Hey I have been watching your family every time you take a walk. You are a picture of peace and joy. What a beautiful family!" Indeed it was. Jia Ern is an obedient child to Mom and Dad. She honours her parents by doing her share of housework and plays only after she has done all her homework.  Whenever her parents say "no" to her, she willingly accepts their decision. She understands that her parents love her and mean good.

God wants children to obey their parents. Parents are given the wisdom to protect their children from harm, feed and clothe them, teach them to do the right things and guide them in their use of time, money and energy. Together with godly parents, obedient children make a home beautiful.

Circle and colour the happy home.

Thought: Happy is the home where children obey parents.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me an obedient heart that I may please You and my parents. Help me to do willingly what my parents ask me to. Help me too, Heavenly Father, to appreciate them more! I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.