"Go to the ant, you lazybones; consider its ways and be wise." Proverbs 6:6
There are about 150 species of ants. They are faithful to their work and do it without supervision or applause. They do not procrastinate. When an anthill is damaged, they get together and repair it, working as a team. No matter how tough their task, they just do it without arguments; and they do not quit. They seldom sleep and store food for the future. They live for about 45-65 days, but achieve much in that short time.
As parents, we tell our children stories: fables, fairy tales, animal stories and the like. But do we dwell on the moral of the story? Do we explain to our children how they can benefit from the story? Take the case of the ant! What can we learn from that tiny creature? 1) Do not expect applause. 2) Work on your own, without supervision. 3) Do not put off what can be done now. 4) Learn to work as part of a team. 5) Less talk and more work. 6) Do not give up. So many big lessons, from one so small!
If only we got our children to understand these lessons, how instructive it would be! They would work, and work as a team, without supervision; not expecting applause for a job well done. They would do their home work and other duties without delay and not quit even if the task was tough. Would to God, we have the wisdom of parenting!
There are about 150 species of ants. They are faithful to their work and do it without supervision or applause. They do not procrastinate. When an anthill is damaged, they get together and repair it, working as a team. No matter how tough their task, they just do it without arguments; and they do not quit. They seldom sleep and store food for the future. They live for about 45-65 days, but achieve much in that short time.
As parents, we tell our children stories: fables, fairy tales, animal stories and the like. But do we dwell on the moral of the story? Do we explain to our children how they can benefit from the story? Take the case of the ant! What can we learn from that tiny creature? 1) Do not expect applause. 2) Work on your own, without supervision. 3) Do not put off what can be done now. 4) Learn to work as part of a team. 5) Less talk and more work. 6) Do not give up. So many big lessons, from one so small!
If only we got our children to understand these lessons, how instructive it would be! They would work, and work as a team, without supervision; not expecting applause for a job well done. They would do their home work and other duties without delay and not quit even if the task was tough. Would to God, we have the wisdom of parenting!
