CHILDREN ARE WHAT THEY LIVE WITH

Nneoma Chuku (@duchess153)

As parents and adults who take care of children, we often might not realise how far our actions or inactions affect these little ones and even who they become in future. I hope you find this piece enlightening.

If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,
He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns to have confidence.

If a child lives with praise,
He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness,
He learns justice

If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.

You can follow the contributor on twitter - @duchess153

14th May!

Whenever I look at the Calender and see May, my heart always skip a bit. Whenever I see 14th May, my heart skips twice and I become excited. When I come to think about this, I remember that this is a day that stands out among other days in my life. I like this day so much that I look forward for it to come around. It only comes around once in every Twelve months.

This day holds many things in my life; It brings to my mind to a day, my mum went to the hospital around mid-day and gave birth to me and my twin brother. That day, when I came out, I cried(I'm sure I did) may be I did, it was not my fault, if it was now, I would have known how to control my self; I hope you got what i meant? After the crying, other things followed.

Another thing significant with this day is that whenever it comes around, I will be older than I was before. Can't you see, this was the day that told my parents that I'm old enough to start going to school, if not for God, this day wouldn't have been there and if not for this day I wouldn't have been in school(I'm I sure?). it is also this particular day I'm talking about that will tell me when I will graduate from being a teenager to an adult.

Buddie, 14th May has never disappointed me in life, it always come around for me once every year. There is never a year it doesn't come around because it is not 28th February which only comes around once in four years! It was on this day that I came into this world; You know without God, 14th May would not have been in existence and it wouldn't come around for me each passing year, that's the reason I say may all glory and hounour be to God in Jesus name Amen.

It is 14th May that will tell me when I should get married. By the grace of God, I will be alive to see this day come again in my life, the day is fast approaching like the seasons. This day is a day that makes much impact im my life, it is a day i will never forget.

Written in May 2002
@Elexharry

FROM THE ARCHIVES FOR THE PRESENT DAY

Nneoma Chuku ( @duchess153 )

Few weeks ago, I came across this write up in my archives. It was written on one of the frames we had at home growing up which I really can’t tell where it is at the moment. Anyway, I loved it so much as I child that I wrote it down in my book of poetry. Reading through the piece brought back such pleasant memories and nostalgia, that I thought to share it.

In a society, fast loosing so many values, either because they are not being taught or being ignored. This might serve as a reminder to us of values once cherished.

As a parent or older sibling, you might find this as interesting as I did. I hope u enjoy this piece.

LETTER FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO HIS SON’S TEACHER

He will have to learn, I know; that all men are not just, all men are not true, but

Teach him that for every scoundrel, there’s a hero; that for every politician, there’s a dedicated leader

Teach him that for every enemy, there’s a friend

Teach him that a dollar earned is of far more value than five dollars found

Teach him to learn to lose and also enjoy winning; steer him away from envy if you can

Teach him the secret of quiet laughter

Teach him to enjoy the quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, flowers on a green hillside

In school, teach him that it is far honourable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him that they are wrong

Teach him to be gentle with gentle people, tough with tough people

Try to give him the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the band wagon

Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through

Teach him how to laugh when he is sad

Teach him that there is no shame in tears

Teach him to close his ears to howling mob; and to stand nd fight if he thinks he is right

Teach him gently but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel

Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave

Teach him to always have faith in his creator and and faith in himself too because then he will always have faith in mankind

This is a big order, but please see what you can do. He is such a fine little fellow, my son

Abraham Lincoln

ARE YOU A ROMAN IN ROME?

Have you heard the name ‘Beltshazzar’ before? What do you know him for? Here’s a little about this man.

Ask me of a man firm and disciplined to the marrow, I will direct you to Belteshazzar. If you are really interested to know about someone who was faithful and impeccable, you sure need to know more about Daniel.

He was so disciplined that he thrashed the dictum “when you go to Rome, behave like Romans” by behaving like a Jew in faraway Babylon.

During his early years in Babylon, he purposed in his heart not to eat the appetizing-salivating meals served at the king’s palace; if some of us were in his shoes, what would we have done? Enjoy ourselves and yell out “God understands”?

He wasn’t egocentric; after interpreting the king’s dream, he requested his friends be elevated to a higher position in the province but he remained at the king’s gate. Think about that!

All through the provinces, he was known to love and adore His God to the extent that his fellow Governors that wanted to indict him sought out ways to nail him but could only say “We shall not find any charge against Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God” they knew the only “wrong” they could find in him must be his quintessential love for God.

In places we find ourselves, what are we known for? What kind of life do we live? What do we represent? If those Governors were to be with us, what fault will they find in us? Is it possible for us to be convicted for doing the right thing in the sight of God as was the case of Daniel?

He prayed to God three times every day as a custom and that was the only fault his fellow Governors could find against him in order to get him hooked.

When we start living our lives like Daniel, great things will come our ways. Some of the great things that took place in Daniel’s life due to his trust, faith and firmness in the word of God include:

- God sent His angels to guide and guard him throughout his stay in the Lion’s den : which means, even if we get into trouble by doing things God’s way, God will always take care of the situation His own way.
- The king made a decree that in every dominion of his kingdom, that men must worship, tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: when we live for God, He will use us to draw men to Himself.

You can read more about Daniel from the book of Daniel in the Holy Scriptures.

When we dare to be like Daniel by standing alone, having a firm purpose, and making our purpose and stands known to everyone without any compromise, God will do for us as He did for Daniel even more.

Remember, if you walk in God’s light,
Shun the wrong and do the right
God will always make a way for you
God loves you more than you can imagine.

Are you a Roman in Rome, Learn from Beltshazzar.

@Elexharry