SEEING THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD'S MIND

There is a popular saying: Children learn what they live.” This statement is so true. There is another saying: “And a little child shall lead them”; also very true.

Our nine year old son has been entertaining us since he was born. While he was entertaining me this morning before he left for school, I decided to take notes. I will share the things he said this morning. He started out, “Last night I was having a dream that a guy was offering me his job as a Dream Watcher. I took the job and in my mind it was seven years later and I got tired of the job, so I turned it over to another dream watcher.”

I asked him what else happened, He said, “You woke me up to get ready for school”. Joel 2 says: And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. “Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions and Acts says: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams (Acts 2:17).” I like how scriptures always confirms scripture, that way there is no room for doubt.

Dior continued, “next year say I will car pool with you under one condition, you are on time. You make me so mad I am not carpooling with you again”: We carpool with a neighbor and she was running late this morning, but Dior is like his father; he likes to be at least half hour early for everything.

There is more. He asked, “Mom you know if you are white you are more likely to get a job quicker and one that pays more? If you are Hispanic, they probably will give you the job with less pay and if a black person applies for the job, they are likely to get the job, but with less pay.” I asked, “Son who told you that?” My teacher he replied. And he moved on to another topic. “You know what the N word is? I said “No- N means no.” He said, “Never say the N word to a black person, they will knock you out.” I asked him, “What is the N word?” He said, “It is a way to make the black people angry.”

Then he proceeded: “I was watching a T.V. show with Chelsea, who is white and Raven who is black, they both applied for a job and Chelsea got the job.” I asked him, “Who was more qualified for the job?” He answered, “Raven was more qualified, but she didn’t get it. They used it as a way to show what life is. I was kind of mad when I first saw the episode, but now I don’t care because I know that one day God is going fix it all.” I am often amazed at the things I hear my son and other children speak, but I am not surprised, because the says: The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them (Isaiah 11:6).

It is imperative that adults know that we are our children’s first role models and then the teacher, doctors, movie stars, sport figures and other prominent individuals. They learn form us so our behaviors do matter. I am often reminded of this poem:

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism
They learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility,
They learn to fight
If children live with ridicule
They learn to be shy.
If children live with shame,
They learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement,
They learn confidence
If children live with tolerance,
They learn to be patient
If children live with praise,
They learn to appreciate.
If children live with acceptance
They learn to love.
If children live with approval,
They learn to like themselves.
If children live with honesty,
They learn truthfulness
If children live with security,
They learn to have faith in themselves and others.
If children live with friendliness,
They learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
By Dorothy Law Nolte

Pauline Lewinson, Life Style Mentor and Successful Entrepreneur, is helping many become the next success story.