I saw the hurt in the eyes of a little girl as her mother snatched her around and yelled at her in public.  I could only imagine how she felt.  Her eyes were filled with tears.  Perhaps her mom thought she was doing the right thing and just maybe that little girl deserved some sort of correction.  But do parents have to be so harsh?  Of course not. "A soft answer turns away wrath." (Proverbs 15:1)

A firm voice and a tender touch is probably all she needed.  But so often parents feel that screaming at the top of their lungs is the best way to get a child's attention.  That is exactly what I used to think.  You see, I was a yeller.  I would scream (not realizing that I was actually screaming, for in my mind, I was just talking loud) at my children to make sure they understood what I expected out of them.  For some reason, I did not think they knew I meant business unless I talked in a certain way.  Sometimes it was out of anger and frustration.  Other times, I felt that was the only true way to get my point across.  I thank God that He stopped me in my tracks one day.  I loved my children dearly and there was nothing I would not do for them but I was definitely in error. 

Becoming a good parent requires training.  It is not a role that is automatically learned.  Seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, reading, praying and asking for help when needed will cause a sincere person to become a good parent.  Always know that screaming is NEVER an option.

Giving your child a reason to exist includes communicating with your child(ren) in a positive way.  "Fathers (and mothers) do no provoke your children to wrath but bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) Yes, by all means, be a parent but learn first how to deal with and talk to your children.

You have a responsibility to raise godly children. Spend time training them in the ways of the Lord and help them fulfill the destiny and call of God on their lives.  In order to do that, you must invest time and energy building them up and instilling godly principles in them.  "...a child left to himself will bring his mother (and father) to shame." Proverbs 29:15

Your strong points should be utilized with dedication, instruction and motivation.  Dedicate your life to be the best parent you can be, instruct them in all things and motivate them to reach their goals.  Tell them how proud you are of them.    You are to provide all that is needed for their physical, mental and spirtual development.  You might be the only God they see, at least while they are young.

The best thing you can do for your children is give them Jesus.  This will be a difficult task if you, yourself have not accepted Him as your savior.  You need Jesus.  In fact, your whole family does.  Your success in life is based on your relationship with Him.  So I am pausing right here to ask you these important questions:  "Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?"  Would you like to receive Him NOW?  If so, please pray this prayer and mean it from your heart.

God knows your heart.  So if you prayed that prayer and sincerely meant it, you are born again.  You are a part of the Kingdom of God. Now let us take this a little farther and pray this:

Giving your child a reason to exist is probably the most unselfish thing to do.  Your children will become what you put in them.  Fear begets fear as much as faith begets faith.  Check yourself from time to time.  Consider what you say and how it is said.  Your words are powerful and as far as your children are concerned "your words are the gospel truth."