How to love

What I command you is to love one another. John 15:17

How are we going to love ? We must love as God loves us... we must show acceptance and appreciation... [we accept] each other as God accepts us. Too many parents refuse to accept and appreciate their children for what they are. That's why a million American children ran away from home last year. A team of Yale researchers concluded that the majority of these runaways were trying to escape an unhappy family situation. They aspired to be appreciated.

The causes of delinquency, we are told, are broken homes, poverty, lack of recreation facilities, poor physical health, racism, working mothers, and so on. The experts never seem to speak of the lack of faith in God. These are the two most important elements for the successful maturity of a teenager.

How long have you rented your children instead of criticizing them ? David prayed for Solomon and praised him daily. We must rent our children every day. Praise your wife. I found that the praise goes much further than the critics. Everyone must be appreciated.

Prayer for the day

It is so easy to criticize those who are close to me ; but Lord, give me your love without reserve so that they know how much I appreciate them.

Billy Graham