• Home
  • About the Work in Progress
  • Confident Faith
    • Christianity
    • Women of Faith
    • Weight Loss Journey
  • Confident Marriage
    • Marriage
    • Marriage Resources for Christians
  • Confident Parenting
    • Parenting
  • Confident Blogging
    • Blogging
    • Favorite Link-ups
  • Work with Me
    • Graphic Design
  • FREE Resource Library

Being Confident Of This

Grace for the work-in-progress woman

The Words Your Child Really Needs to Hear

July 17, 2017 by jstults 13 Comments

“You’re the best Mom ever!” She proclaims, as she grins and squeezes me with her small arms, and my mama heart expands to near bursting.

“Well, you’re the best daughter ever!” I smile back down at her.

And it’s true. She may be my only daughter at this time, but she is also the best.

It may sound like a simple, sweet exchange between mother and daughter, come and gone in just a few breaths. But I know better. I know these words are building a foundation in her, one sweet word at a time.

I say all the words that need telling because I know she needs to hear those words; I know she needs me to tell them to her.  I know because I need those words, too.

I need the “I love you”s, and the “you’re the best”s, and the “you’re the beautifulest mom ever”s, and the “I missed you”s. If I, a grown woman, need all the words that need telling, how much more does a child need to hear these same words?

So much more. So much more.

They are the words your child really needs to hear.

All the Words that need telling, tell kids you love them, tell people the gospel

So I tell her all the words that need telling – the words about love, the words about like, the words about her character, and the words about her Savior – because she needs to hear all of those important words. She needs to hear them often.

She needs to hear them often.

She may be little now, but soon enough she’ll be heading into her senior year of high school just like her oldest brother. And then she’ll leave for college (Lord-willing), and who will tell her all the words that she needs to hear then?

When she leaves the safety of our home to venture out on her own, she’ll find plenty of messages about how she’s not enough, how she’s no good, how she’s less than.

Those words are enough to crush a person, especially if she lacks a secure foundation.

The Words Your Child Really Needs to Hear

We’ve only a few years, friends, a few short years to speak the words your child really needs to hear.  Only a few years to tell of our love for them.  Only a few years to tell of the Savior’s love, too.

And they need to hear them because love is so central to the Gospel, so important.

That foundation of faith and love (or lack of one) can help determine your child’s life course. Such a foundation is a refuge in life’s storms, a comfort when staring down rejection, a balm when wounded.

The words your child really needs to hear develop a confidence in them that isn’t easily shaken.

Are you saying the words your kids really need to hear? They seem like simple words, simple conversations, but they build solid character. Do you speak them? saying the right words|motherhood|parenting|Christian parent|Christian women|children|speaking to kids|building up your kids|kids and confidence

Don’t be shy; don’t hesitate, friend.

Even if the words don’t come naturally to you, tell the words today, the words your child really needs to hear, because we are never guaranteed tomorrow.

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deut. 11:18-19

Speak words of life to your family today, friend. Make the most of every opportunity.

Tell all the words your child really needs to hear.

Tell Love

and Truth

and Kindness

and Peace.

Don’t wait!

Jen

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: building character in children, children, Christian Parenting, family, foundation of faith, i love you, Motherhood, parenting, purposeful parenting

Comments

  1. Liz says

    July 19, 2017 at 14:00

    I try to start every day with these words, no matter how we all felt at bed time the night before. Because starting fresh every day is integral to understanding grace. And because I’m more generous with it first thing in the morning (well, at least after my first cup of coffee…). But I pray to become more intentional with the words that pass my lips later in the day. My boys are rapidly becoming men and they need to be encouraged in their character! Thanks for this reminder!

    Reply
    • jstults says

      July 19, 2017 at 16:51

      Love this, Liz – especially the part about having a fresh start no matter what happened yesterday! 🙂
      Jen

      Reply
  2. Ayanna @ 21FlavorsofSplendor says

    July 19, 2017 at 16:15

    Love this! Speaking love, life, and light to our children is so important. I need to be more intentional about doing that daily.

    Reply
    • jstults says

      July 19, 2017 at 16:52

      I think we all could be more intentional in this way! No one’s ever been accused of being too loving and encouraging as a parent, haha.
      Jen

      Reply
  3. Timberley @ Living Our Priorities says

    July 19, 2017 at 16:38

    These words of truth are so important for our children today. Great post! Stopping by from By His Grace Bloggers.

    Reply
    • jstults says

      July 19, 2017 at 16:52

      Thanks for stopping by, Timberly!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  4. Charlie | MississippiMom says

    July 20, 2017 at 08:43

    This is a great reminder to speak life into our kids over and over again. Thank you!

    Reply
    • jstults says

      July 22, 2017 at 13:58

      You’re welcome! It’s so easy to get busy doing things for them and forget that what they really need is to know how we feel about them and how God loves them. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Joseph says

    August 17, 2017 at 07:19

    This is a great post. I must confess i struggle to do this to my kids.But, from now I will pay the price even when I don’t feel like. Please, is this forum for women folks alone? If not, how do I join you as a christian blogger? This is my first time here.

    Reply
    • jstults says

      September 8, 2017 at 11:25

      Hi, Joseph,
      I write mostly for women because I am a woman myself. But, much of what I write about faith would be applicable to both women and men. You can join our community by signing up for the newsletter (in the right sidebar). Nice to meet you!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  6. Priscilla says

    September 11, 2017 at 16:49

    So true! I think that’s applicable to all aspects of life. It’s so important to remember that our actions (of kindness) can speak volumes in sharing the Gospel with people…Definitely something I need to work on! And your blog is so beautiful and organized–thank you so much for blessing so many people! 😀

    Reply
    • jstults says

      September 11, 2017 at 20:40

      You’re so sweet, Priscilla. Thanks for encouraging me!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  7. natalie Newman says

    September 13, 2017 at 06:15

    This was a very truthful post! The things we say stay with our kids much longer than we think they do.
    I call my son (27) my favorite son….lol he is my only son 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I'm Jen: a work in progress. I'm imperfect - a mom of four, pastor's wife, discipler, and sinner saved only by grace. I like to sing, read, write, teach, and smile. I have a heart for encouraging women everywhere to understand God's limitless love for them and what His grace means for everyday living. Welcome! :) Read More…

Contact Me

jstults[at]beingconfidentofthis[dot]com

Reader Favorites:

  • Why Reading Isn't Enough ~ Study the Bible
    Why Reading Isn't Enough ~ Study the Bible
  • 6 More Benefits of Studying God's Word
    6 More Benefits of Studying God's Word
  • Painted Red: The Significance of the Passover
    Painted Red: The Significance of the Passover
  • 7 Creative Methods for Teaching Scripture to Children
    7 Creative Methods for Teaching Scripture to Children
  • Spiritual Warfare Verses That Pack a Punch
    Spiritual Warfare Verses That Pack a Punch
  • The Day I Saw Red
    The Day I Saw Red
  • 7 Scriptures for a Steadfast Heart
    7 Scriptures for a Steadfast Heart
  • When Your Feelings Deceive You
    When Your Feelings Deceive You

Join the facebook page for everyday encouragement!

Join the facebook page for everyday encouragement!

Share This Blog:

Facebook Twitter More...

Follow Me on Pinterest

Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.
Hope for the Hurting Wife: 30 Days of Practical Encouragement for Your Marriage.   marriage book|difficult marriage|husband|wife|hard times in marriage|marriage encouragement

Categories

New devotional release from Jen Stults - Being Confident of This: 30 Days to Discovering Your Identity in Christ. This book is for every Christian woman who wants to walk in confident faith instead of struggling with doubt, fear, and insecurity! self-esteem | self-confidence | self-help | motivational | personal growth | spiritual growth | how to be more confident | Christian women | devotional | Bible study | identity in Christ | superwoman myth | being like Mary

Copyright © 2023 | Crave Theme by The Pixelista | Built on the Genesis Framework