Repeated Little Sayings are Maxims That Stick
Can you think of little ‘sayings’ that your mom or dad said to you growing up? Something like, “Don’t put off until tomorrow that which you can do today.” This is a good maxim for stewarding our time. Or this one, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth” (Proverbs 27:2). In other words, stop bragging about yourself. Or this one, “The companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20b). This is a good little piece of wisdom for teens who are selecting friends.
My mom had plenty of those on the tip of her tongue. You’re acting too big for your britches. Or this one: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31).
Today’s maxims on common courtesies and self-control are less common. Instead, we hear, “speak your own truth,” “you are enough,” “follow your heart,” or “you are the captain of your ship.” Within these phrases there is a worldview that the culture is feeding our children. I believe we could refer to it as humanism. In order to counteract these, I want to share a few nuggets or maxims from Hillary Morgan Ferrer’s book entitled Mama Bear Apologetics. Perhaps you’ll jot one on a sticky note to use often with your children. The thing is - as you say them repeatedly, they’ll stick.
What You Do With Your Body Matters – when you ask your children to take a bath or brush their teeth, remind them that what they do with their body matters. Continue by saying, God Gave You a Body So Take Care Of It – in doing so, you need plenty of sleep, nutritious food, exercise for your development, and good books for your mind.
You Can Say The Right Thing in the Wrong Way – tone matters; children should speak with a respectful tone. Or you could say, “Check your tone and repeat what you said.”
Just Because You Feel It Doesn’t Make It True – our children need to learn that we don’t judge reality based on feelings. Our feelings aren’t to be denied, but they are a poor indicator of truth.
Not All Change Is Progress – this might come in handy when you discuss having a cellular device. While we’ve made progress in speed of communication, the effect of cell phone usage on a teen’s brain and the potential for addiction to screens do not come without a cost for what one might say is progress.
You Reap What You Sow, More Than You Sow, and Later Than You Sow – this is a biblical principle found in Galatians 6:7. Children can be taught that goodness, kindness, thoughtfulness, and self-control toward others will reap a harvest of blessing from God, if not today, later, and in unexpected ways. Our choices have consequences.
Delayed Obedience is Disobedience – I’m sure you’ve used this one!
Neurons That Fire Together Wire Together – teach children the importance of establishing good habits because our habits lay down neural pathways in the brain, wiring it to focus on that which you repeatedly choose to dwell. Think on these things – “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8). Isn’t it interesting how God, who made us and fashioned our brains, knew also how to instruct our thinking for developing healthy habits of the mind!
