Teaching Your Child that God Uniquely Creates and Loves
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Many blessings have transcended on our family as a result of having a child with different and special needs. One of my favorite blessings is that my children have a heart for those who need extra help in this world. The kids just naturally have grown up serving Taylor, from picking up her cup when she drops it to running to get items from her room that she needs. What a beautiful thing it is to watch them care for her without being asked. They just see the need and fill it.
Another beautiful blessing/lesson our family views each day is that each person God created is valuable and cherished. That little saying “When God created you, He broke the mold” applies to each and every one of us.
Just as God created each of us with a unique design and plan for our lives, every human recognizes individuality in a different manner and span of time. Today I wanted to talk about teaching your child that God uniquely creates and loves people. I’d love it if you’d join in the conversation with your suggestions on helping children to understand that God loves them individually and created them uniquely.
1. Find ways to help children serve people in tough circumstances.
Whether it is a soup kitchen, nursing home, or hospital, the setting doesn’t matter. What matters is the opportunity to see people in situations that are unlike their own so that they can begin to think what life is like when things don’t go exactly as it seems they should. Children need to be taught that each of us are different and God created us that way.
2. Teach your children Bible verses that explain how God created each of us uniquely.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16
3. Look for everyday opportunities to love on people.
As you go throughout the day, wherever you are, be aware of those in need. Help the person who needs an extra hand in the grocery store. Ask God to open your eyes to the needs of those around you.
4. Create opportunities to deliberately be an encouragement to hurting hearts.
For the last 12 or so years, our family has hosted an event for families who have children suffering from MPS, the same disease as our Taylor. We host a big party each summer at a local church just so we can provide the opportunity for families to connect and love on each other. Giving your children the opportunity to be a part of the bigger picture, outside their home, in their community, expands both their horizons and their hearts.
5. Read books on individuality and discuss differences of those in the family.
My son has brown hair and my youngest has blonde.My husband’s favorite dessert is apple pie; mine is chocolate. Neither is right or wrong; just different. One of my favorites books to truly teach this concept is Everybody Can Help Somebody. Love, love, love this book. You can read the full review here or purchase here: Everybody Can Help Somebody
6. Watch media that teaches principles of God’s unique design and plan for every person.
Most recently I was introduced to a DVD of The Legend of the Three Trees. This story goes back a looonnnng way with me. I first read this story in a flannel graph teaching packet when I was about ten years old. Alright, yes, I grew up in the flannel graph era. The story is a beautiful traditional story that reminds children they are significant and God has a plan for their lives. I know you’ll love it! To order- click- The Legend of the Three Trees: The Classic Story of Following Your Dreams
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I’m super pumped to be giving away a copy of this sweet DVD today! Just follow the Rafflecopter and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Rachel
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Love the concept of teaching children about “when life doesn’t go the way we think it should”…so true! We homeschool our daughter and this past school yr my Mom has been hospitalized 3 times…the last time for 3 wks. I often felt sorry for my daughter sitting in a hospital room working on school work, watching her grandmother suffer, but a wise friend pointed out that our being there for my Mom was as educational (about real life) as the subjects she was working on!
My husband and I are blessed with a son and daughter. We are always telling them how God made each of us different and special in our own way. God loves all of us and created us all the way we are. He knew us before we were born, how awesome is that!
I talk with my children often about how God loves each of them differently but just as much as the others, the same way that their Dad and I love them. We’ve had some interesting conversations, and I think it’s starting to sink in how richly and individually they are loved.
I am parenting a child who is ODD, ADHD, and is showing signs of OCD as well. My other children don’t always understand why we let said child have his way. Sometimes it is just easier than dealing with a melt down when you are on empty of energy. My children love movies. we took a window out of my house to make it into a shelf for all of our movies.
Yes, having a special needs child in the family is definitely a blessing. Currently I’m focused on finding those volunteer opportunities for my children to do during the summer. Training them to be other-focused in a me-first world is a constant concern.
Thank you for this post. I have two young boys who are just starting to realize that there are even differences in this world and appreciate the information in this post to help me with this aspect of their growth and learning.