If a child lives with criticism, He learns to Condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, She learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, She learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, She learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, She learns justice.
If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, She learns to like herself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.
This was sent to me years ago on a postcard from Covenant House. It’s a place where meals and safe beds are provided for youths facing crisis such as homelessness and human trafficking. I wanted to share this with my viewers because of how heartfelt this was for me.
Today more than ever we see how our youths are in crisis. Broken homes where children are subjected to neglect, drug addicts, alcoholics, physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse. How can we stop this cycle? And that is by not repeating the same cycle in which we were raised. We are affected by our childhood. Our parents are our first love. If we’re not shown that love from them, then we can’t easily obtain nor express it. “A child is a gift from God” (Psalms 127:3). When you have been given that gift, be thankful and do your best to nurture that blessing so that when that child becomes an adult, can be a blessing to others. No child comes with instructions. No parent is perfect. Being a parent is not an easy job. All you can do is try your best and know that children learn what they live.
Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the United States.
1 in 4 victims of human trafficking are children.
.
