To Love Your Kids is To Have Their Hearts

If I choose to do everything "natural" with my kids, (no jabs, home birth, no meds, etc....) but I don't show them love, it avails nothing.

If I choose to give them the best education, the best tutors, the best schooling that is available, yet I don't show them love, then I have fallen short.

If I feed them all organic, dress them in organic cotton, and make sure they never eat red dye or sugar, but I don't show them love, then it is all for naught.

If I take them to church, tell them Bible stories, and drill the 10 Commandments into their heads, but I don't show them love, then it falls on deaf ears.

If I tell them the way they should live, but I don't show them love, then it doesn't matter.

If I raise successful kids as far as the world's standard goes, but they question whether or not I love them, then I have failed along the way.

On the flipside, if I sometimes lose my cool but my kids know that I love them, they will be quick to forgive.

If I mess up daily, but put them to bed with a hug and a kiss and an "I love you!" that will be the last thing going through their little minds and hearts as they drift off to sleep.

If I feed them Kraft Mac and Cheese and hotdogs and chicken nuggets and food with red dye but I play with them and laugh with them and cuddle them, it will be ok.

If I am not perfect, but they know without a doubt that I love them, they will love me back.

If "I love yous" are constantly being said throughout the day, those will be the memories that they take with them when they start families of their own.

They'll forget the chaos at times. They'll forget the stressful days and the days where Mom and Dad were a little flustered or a little grumpy.

They'll instead remember all of the times when their Mom and Dad told them they loved them. Hugged them. Told them they were proud of them. Smiled at them. Ruffled their hair.

There is a competition to get your children's hearts. Make sure that your love for them wins. Make sure that they know no one loves them as much as Mom and Dad love them.

You don't have to be a perfect parent to raise good kids who love God and love you. You just have to show them that you love God and that you love them.

Do you want your kids' hearts? Love them and love them well, and make sure they know it.

To love your kids is to have their hearts.