With Mother
’s Day and Fat-her’s Day qui-ckly approac-hing I went through my
files for something of value and came across this prayer for
parents of children, which was written close to 50 years ago by
Garry C. Myers, the founder of Highlights Magazine for
Children.
With Mother’s Day and Fat-her’s Day qui-ckly approac-hing I went through my files for something of value and came across this prayer for parents of children, which was written close to 50 years ago by Garry C. Myers, the founder of Highlights Magazine for Children.
The thoughts contained have guided, counseled, and comforted me through the child raising years and I still harken back to the gentle wisdom contained even though my children are older. Wisdom for all ages is contained within these verses. I have changed a few words for inclusively.
Also, with these special days upcoming you might write a letter of gratitude or love to your parent(s) or guardian(s), your second/st-ep mother or father. Putting into words how much of a positive impact someone has had upon your life can bring a sense of peace and understanding and will be a treasure.
Also, if you need to recognize, or celebrate these days, you might ask yourself what is the way the person you are thinking of “sees love.” Is their love tank filled by words of affirmation, quality time spent together, receiving gifts, acts of service or physical touch? If you would like to know more about how “gift giving” can be a deposit in your emotional bank account, read Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages.
Until the next time we meet, may your life be abundantly overflowing with grace and mercy, compassion and forgiveness, pleasure and prosperity, love and joy, peace and harmony. Hold close to your heart the words of Mother Theresa, “There is a hidden poverty more pervasive than lack of money. It is the poverty of the heart.” Find three ways daily to give of your time, attention or resources to others, and watch your life and your love blossom.
A Parent’s Prayer
“Oh heavenly Creator, make me a better parent. Help me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to understand all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them, talking back to them and contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Give me the courage to confess my wrongdoings against my children and ask them for forgiveness when I know that I have done wrong.
“May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment. Let me not tempt a child to lie and steal. So guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.
“Reduce I pray, the meanness in me. May I cease to nag, and when I am out of sorts, help me to hold my tongue. Blind me to the errors of my children and help me to see the good things they do. Give me a ready word for honest praise.
“Help me to treat my children as those of their own age, but let me not exact of them the judgments and conventions of adults. Allow me not to rob them of the opportunity to wait upon themselves, to think, to choose, and to make their own decisions.
“Forbid that I should ever punish them for my selfish satisfaction. May I grant them all their wishes that are reasonable and have the courage always to withhold a privilege that I know will do them harm.
“Make me so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to my children that they will have genuine esteem for me. Fit me to be loved and imitated by my children. Oh, God, do give me calm and poise and self-control.”
Mary Ellen Salzano is a Realtor for Century 21 Premier. She lives in Morgan Hill with her husband and two children. Her columns, Sharing and Caring, are published monthly. Contact her at maryellen_salza **@***oo.com
