Guidance and Risk: Why I Love Jesus – P1

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

As I press on towards my goals, I find some routes to be so difficult. I’m drawn in all different directions. Yes, I do get distracted, and I struggle to focus on the one thing I need the most. However, even a little push can make such a big difference. This morning I woke up tired and drained. I didn’t want to push. I did pray. Then I became distracted again… 

So I sighed and pushed again, looking for the path that would lead my heart and mind in the right direction. It was the song that I’ll share at the end of Part 2 that reminded me of something really important: why I love Jesus. 

Studying to become an Early Childhood Educator has brought my own early education to mind so many times. I’ll expand on this in Part 2. 

Early education isn’t a static thing. It’s a field of research, theories, problem solving, relationships, cooperation and the list goes on. This means that over the years teaching styles have changed. 

If you haven’t noticed, most children don’t receive the disciplinary ruler across the hand as my parents’ generation once did. 

More recently there was the time-out generation. However,  time-outs are even now seen as a last resort. Why? The research shows that these methods of discipline don’t work. Negative guidance methods can even cause more harm than good. 

Instead of punishment, today’s ECE’s strive to build self-esteem and belonging, using positive guidance strategies, including children in the conflict resolution and problem solving process. (Or they should) Of course, educators come in all shapes and sizes, beliefs and preferences.

Since small children tend to lack understanding that their actions are inappropriate or harmful to themselves, or others, they should be gently guided to make better choices.

Many adults lack the same skills. Perhaps this is because they never received that strong guiding foundation. However, those who turn to Jesus can gain a new foundation to build from. Jesus too implemented positive guidance methods from the foundations of the earth, because God understands that without Him we are spiritually blind, lost and like sheep without a Shepherd. 

This is one of the reasons I love the Lord; He is humble and compassionate, not wishing for anyone to perish.

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On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All Other Ground is Sinking Sand. ❤

God spoke to Cain: “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.” 

Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him.

– Genesis 4:6-8 (MSG)

Whoever comes to Me and hears My words and does them, I will show whom he is like: He is like a man who built a house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, but could not shake it, for it was founded on rock. But he who hears and does not obey is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently. Immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

– Luke 6:47-49