Vineyard Church North Phoenix | Where We Feel Close

The Heart is Where We Feel Close

As parents, we long to connect with our children in meaningful ways and those connections often provide teaching opportunities. When children are young, those special moments happen regularly, even daily. You read a book to your four-year-old, he leans on your arm, and you cherish the time of closeness. You correct your six-year-old, and he cries that repentant cry and wants a hug-and tears come to your eyes, too, because you know youve connected with his heart.

The closeness you and your children feel is a function of the heart. In Acts 4:32 we read the early disciples were one in heart and mind, a statement of their unity. The heart is where we build the close relationships that help us to teach our kids in ways that will have a lasting impact. Closeness allows us to work with our children rather than against them as they develop the valuable character qualities they need to succeed in life.

These special moments of heart connection also happen with older children, but, in many families, they come less often. A fourteen-year-old gets a positive school report, giving her dad an opportunity to affirm her hard work. Her smile confirms he made the heart connection hed hoped for.

Be on the lookout for opportunities to connect with your kids on a heart level, affirming their successes and sympathizing with their losses. The relationships you build with your children now are an essential foundation for helping them to grow in the future. In those moments of closeness you may have an opportunity for a significant conversation or you may simply want to enjoy the heart connection.

This tip comes from the book Parenting is Heart Work by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller.