It’s obvious from Scripture that God does not want us to provoke our children to anger. If a child gets the idea that he just can’t please his dad, he starts to lose his ambition and passion for doing things. He will no longer attempt anything in life because he knows his dad will find fault with whatever he tries.

When my son, Benjamin, was just a tyke, I’d go watch all his ball games. He played some his senior year and even played a little J.V. But then he decided to pursue an area that was completely foreign to me; he went into the military.

Although my background is in sports, I didn’t try to push that upon my son or become angry with him for going a different direction in life. When he finished at Ft. Benning, Georgia, in the military, I flew myself, my wife and all of Benjamin’s grandparents down to see the military put the blue cord of the infantry on his right shoulder. We were just as proud of him for excelling at Ft. Benning as we were of him excelling on any kind of playing field.

Parents, put your arms around your kids and let them know you’re proud of them. If it’s been a while, say to your children: “Son/Daughter, your mother and I are so pleased with you. We thank God for the treasure you are to us.”

— Rev. Tommy Nelson