Here’s a practical idea to help your kids with bickering less, being kind, listening well, good attitudes, or another area:
- Create a chart for each child like the one in the picture.
- Cut some slits on the bottom of the chart like in the picture and write a reward on each one. Ask your kids for reward ideas and share some of your ideas in the comments too.
- 3. Pick 1 or 2 areas your children can work on (no more). Each time your child does well in that area, they get a tally (one rule – they can’t ask for one). Examples of earning tallies: when my son washed all the dishes in the sink and not just his own, when my kids worked out a conflict well, & when they listened to me the first time which shows kindness.
- Once they earn a certain number of tallies, they get to rip a reward off and use it when they want. Our number is 15 tallies. If your kids are younger, you could do 10 tallies so they earn a reward more quickly and stay motivated. Mine earned a reward after a few days. (I also give a tally once they memorize the verse for that week.)
Once they earned a reward, we started the tallies again. We’ll probably do this for a few weeks to help create habits of speaking more kindly and going above and beyond.
If I can find a way to replace nagging with encouragement, I’m in! ❤️
At times, I’m tempted to think I can earn the Lord’s approval – to think, when I “get things right”, I’m accepted and loved. But, when I fall short and mess up, there is more distance between the Lord and me.
Friends, the good news is that we are no longer held by the old testament law. Jesus, in all his perfection, radiance, love, took our place and made a way to be connected with God always.
Jesus took our imperfections upon us on the cross and rose above it all. Our sins are released, done, gone and we are fully forgiven when we believe in him.
When I begin thinking that I fall under the old testament ways, the Lord graciously reminds me that, in Christ, we are free indeed.
Feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit when we have wronged someone or the Lord is a good thing, but it does. Not. cause separation between you and God. Jesus bridged that gap long ago.
All the Lord asks us to do is to believe in him. To have a willing and humble heart to ask for forgiveness and be forgiven. To seek him, so we can be the led by the Spirit and live a life of love.
Isn’t that freeing?
Let’s not get stuck in the cement of guilt when the Lord wants us to fly free like an eagle.
Jesus made a way so we don’t have to shrink back in guilt and distance.
He made a way so we can approach the throne of GRACE with confidence.
He made a way because he loves us.
Today, embrace his love,
not because of what you have done,
but because of what he has done for you.
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31
Linsey Driskill 