Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Just a minute
How many times have I said that to my kids? "just a minute' or 'maybe later', sometimes not even knowing if 'later' will come, sometimes knowing 'later' will never come.
Wes Stafford is the President and CEO of Compassion International. He's written a book called 'Just a Minute' - a collection of stories, based around the powerful concept that 'in the heart of a child, one moment can last forever.' This is something I need to remember more and more.
Such a privilege we have to honour the children around us with our time and attention. Beautiful opportunities, or as Wes Stafford puts it, divine appointments, to affirm the value of others. Or not. The book also talks of one moment that helped shape the course of Adolf Hitler's life, and other times when moments have been used carelessly.
The days are long, but the years are short, so the saying goes. May I use my moments carefully.
You can read the first chapter here for free.
Wes Stafford is the President and CEO of Compassion International. He's written a book called 'Just a Minute' - a collection of stories, based around the powerful concept that 'in the heart of a child, one moment can last forever.' This is something I need to remember more and more.
''with each child you encounter, you have the power to build up, or sadly tear down. A life can be..launched with a single word, an uplifting comment, a well timed hug, a tender prayer, the holding of a frightened hand or the gentle wiping of a tear all in just one minute."
So many truths in this book - reminders that are so needed in the midst of a hot, busy, long day at home. I think sometimes we can underestimate the power of a moment with children. How easily we can impress things on them, how easily they remember. Mim is constantly amazing me with her memory of things I had long forgotten, things that obviously still play on her mind.
I want to remember that what my children and the neighbourhood children have to say to me is important to them. Sometimes it's hard when they are telling me for the 20th time. I want to look them in the eye so they know that they are worth somebody doing that, even though they are smaller.
Such a privilege we have to honour the children around us with our time and attention. Beautiful opportunities, or as Wes Stafford puts it, divine appointments, to affirm the value of others. Or not. The book also talks of one moment that helped shape the course of Adolf Hitler's life, and other times when moments have been used carelessly.
The days are long, but the years are short, so the saying goes. May I use my moments carefully.
You can read the first chapter here for free.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment