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 Want the Best for Your Child? Instill Great Character!
By Dr. Larry Harris
It goes without saying that the greatest gift ever given is the one that God gave us, his son Jesus. The greatest gift that God has given us as adults is our children. Unfortunately however, today many of our children are in trouble.
According to FBI figures the rate of violent crimes by juveniles has increased over the last several years. Children are killing children. Children are killing their parents and children are killing themselves by destroying their futures by doing something stupid or acting foolish.
Today children not only carry books to school but are bringing guns.
The CDC reports that leading cause of death among African Americans between ages 10-24 is homicide. This is sad, heart sickening, and tragic. The most the amazing thing about these tragedies is that most of them if not all of them are related to an even bigger problem, the problem of the family-the problem of being the right kind of parent and bringing up our children in the right way to respect others, authority, themselves and to respect God.
The greatest gift that you can give to or leave with your children is not a big fat bank account, or a mansion on the hill. It can’t be wrapped in pretty paper and placed under at tree. It be can’t be bought or sold. The greatest gift that you can give and leave with children is character. That is training, teaching and showing your precious ones how to be productive citizens of this world, serving God and serving others.
It has been said that character is what you are and how you act when no one is watching. Your character is defined by what you do, not what you say or believe. In 1963, Dr. King said: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judge by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
What is the content of the character of your children? Is it a dream come true or a nightmare revealed. As Bill Cosby recently said, “our children are trying to tell us something but we are not listening.” Wake up people! Wake up to the challenge of parenthood and make your family the foundation for developing character in your children.
Over time, talent, ability, or money made fade or be lost, but the principles of honesty, caring, sharing, respect responsibility and love—character will last a life time. Invest in teaching character! Be a living example of good character! Leave with and give to your children the greatest gift, a legacy of character! “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men” (Frederick Douglass).
Remember! CHARACTER!!! It All Starts At Home.
Copyright © 2007 Larry C. Harris MD
Confirm your commitment to teaching your children good character by proudly displaying a magnetic ribbon entitled "CHARACTER!!! IT ALL STARTS AT HOME." (Visit my web site itallstartsathome.com and click store)
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