One Moment at a Timeनमूना

## Let your children make decisions. As mamas, it can be so easy to jump in and decide everything for our kids – what they should wear, what they should eat, what they should do. But, if we never give our kids space to choose, it can paralyze them when it comes time to make their own decisions. When we ask our kids questions, give choices, and let them make some decisions for themselves, it helps them gain confidence in their ability to do just that. All throughout the gospels, Jesus asked people questions, many being reflective ones to get them to think and grow their faith. Jesus asks about eighty questions in the book of Luke alone. For example, in Luke 10:25-26, an expert in the law tested Jesus and asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asked a question in response to get him thinking. Jesus replied, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” Let’s follow Jesus’ example, and ask our kids questions instead of just answering for them. As our kids learn to think for themselves when they’re younger, they’ll be more likely to do that when they’re older. When kids are young, they listen to the parental voices in their lives, but as they get older, they listen more and more to their friends’ voices. But, when we allow our kids to use their mental muscles by asking questions and letting them make decisions, they will know how to listen to their own voice when they get older. So, if the people around them are doing the wrong thing, they will know how to think for themselves and not give into the crowd. In Acts 17, Damaris did just that. Paul was in Athens, Greece, preaching about Jesus. A woman named Damaris was in the crowd that day. Some people were yelling at Paul, teasing him, and making fun of him for preaching about Jesus. Damaris easily could have followed the crowd that day and made fun of Paul. But, you know what she did instead? She thought for herself. She made a decision for herself. She chose to believe. She chose Jesus. Regardless of what everyone else was doing that day, Damaris made the better decision and chose to believe. The more we ask our kids questions and let them answer without deciding everything for them, the more they will gain confidence in their ability to make decisions and stand out from the crowd, just like Damaris did. One-Day Goal: Today, when you want to decide something for your child, let them think for themselves by asking them questions or by giving them space to make a decision.