What Makes Your Child A Winner (even when it seems like he or she is losing)

She was determined to take this Big Test.

I can assure you that it was her own idea – not mine.

So she signed herself up to take the Important Exam.

And came home with a long face. She’s “bombed” it – her words, not mine.

 

I think she might have even cried a little over it.

So discouraging. So defeating.

I just hugged her tight and offered to share my chocolate with her.

Which brought a small smile.

 

“Oh, well. At least you tried . . .” I comforted her.

And that’s when she looked up at me.

But you don’t understand, Mom.

I’m not done trying. I’m going back and I’m taking it again.

 

Oh.

I’d already told her that she didn’t need to do this for us. For her dad and me. We didn’t care about it and it didn’t mean anything to us.

But it meant something to her.

And that’s another matter.

It came down to her own determination – not mine.

Here’s what we can teach our children about being a winner:

Give it all you’ve got.  Push harder than you ever thought you could. We live in a culture that tends to exalt the “easy” and the “instant”. But good things come to those who are willing to work hard and wait for the reward. If our children can learn this one lesson? They will be be set up to be life-time winners.
Don’t look around at what others are doing.  This only distracts us from focusing on what is ahead of us. Who cares what other people are doing? Concentrate on your own goals and that should be enough.
Don’t give up. This happens to be our family motto: Jacobsons Never Give Up. Our kids have heard this from the earliest age and it has spurred them on many times when things got tough – or even seemed impossible.
Learn to be a good loser. And that right there makes you a winner. If others “beat” you fair and square? Then be the first to shake their hands. Rejoice with those who rejoice.
You don’t have to be great at everything. Whoever said you had to excel in all things? Develop the talents and skills God gave you – and throw off the pressure to do what everyone else seems to be doing.
Your best is always good enough. It doesn’t matter how others compare to you (see #2) and it doesn’t matter if you came in first place (see #4). What matter is that you did your very best and that will always make you a real champ.
You’re a winner. Because that’s how God made you. It is not based on how much you accomplish, how well you do, or what competition you win. God created you and God loves you. You are a winner in His eyes – and that is unbeatable!

It’s in His Word - not mine.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. ~ Ps. 139:14

Yes, definitely a winner.

In His grace,



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*Our books are now available:  100 Ways to Love Your Husband by Lisa Jacobson and 100 Ways to Love Your Wife by Matthew L. Jacobson

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