Example for Children

This truism extends blessings...

This truism extends blessings from generation to generation by creating an eternal marking upon one’s offspring. Take a look at your past photos of your parents and even your parents' parents. Can you identify similar features that you share with each of them? If one recognizes physical resemblance, what about the intangible similarities to include characteristics and traits that you share? Because of such a profound connection with self to one’s family, the Savior proposed a unique question to his disciples when questioned about who is the greatest in the kingdom. He placed a child in midst of them followed by this statement: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:1-5) Although, this lesson explains humility, the Savior points the disciples to their younger selves when they too were children of innocence. So notice that this truism reminds us that a blessed child results from a righteous parent who never forgets his child-like spirits.  The need for greatness and outward distinction becomes less in the child’s mind than the adult way of thinking. A child incurs the dependence on his parent less than an older self. So a child develops into adult-like traits By imitating his parent. Consequently,  the humbleness of mind as demonstrated in selflessness returns when one has a child-like spirit. As one resonates his child-like spirit, it will lead to righteousness, resulting with blessed offspring.

If one subscribes to old idiom, “the apple does not fall far from the tree” meaning that children are like their parents. I can definitely agree with this idiom; simply because I see my father’s ways and behavior as I interact daily with people. So as one avoids the pitfall of self-centeredness and gravitate toward a humility mindset, your child will tap into positive experiences instead of negative experiences as life unfolds. In other words, a person gravitate toward his parent’s action under life stresses from a learned behavior instead reacting in one’s best interest under such challenges. For instance, if one seeks aspiration to have a blessed child, then one must demonstrate how to bless others through humility to implant such behavior in his child. Remember, the writing of Apostle Paul to the Philippians, as he explained humility in describing the role of the Savior: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:5-9) As Jesus imitated his Father through humility, likewise; the recipient of a blessed child emanates self-effacing for his child to replica.

Remember that a heavenly mindset allows you to impart the same selfless life style to your child. So the formula for a blessed child evolves around you living the same child-like life in front of your child. Equally, the child will repeat the same imparting to his child, reflecting a child-like spirit comparable to the truism – “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them." (Proverbs 20:7 NIV)