FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"SOMEBODY IS WATCHING"

There are little eyes upon you and they're watching night and day;

There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say;

There are little hands all eager to do anything you do;

And a little one who's dreaming of the day they'll be like you.

You're the little children's idol, you're the wisest of the wise;

In their little minds about you, no suspicions ever rise;

They believe in you devoutly, hold all that you say and do;

They will say and do in your way, when they've grown up like you.

There are wide-eyed little children who believe you're always right;

And their ears are always open and they're watching day and night'

You are setting an example everyday in all you do;

For the little ones who are waiting to grow up and be like you.

Source unknown

The implications of this poem should make a person stop and really think. Everything we say, do or react to are pictures projected through a small developing mind. And not only to our own children but to other children as well. Nieces, nephews, grandchildren, our friends children, our enemies children, children your children play with. Each and everyone is affected by what we say and do. Now thinking about this, would you like for someone else to affect your children? Good or bad? Other people's emotions, reactions and personalities are a window for children to view.

What you say about other people in front of small children will in some way affect how they will feel about that same person as they get older. How you react to causes and effects will show a small mind how they should react also. What we consider to be a mature understanding of how we feel about someone or something may not be a fair assumption for a developing mind to comprehend. When we unconsciously force our will, doubts or hurts on a young developing mind are we NOT giving that child a chance to form their own desires and personally?

A good example would be--I don't like spinach, can't stand the smell or taste. Now if a small child heard this often enough from someone they admire such as a parent or family member, wouldn't they be apt to confess this to be their own desire? How many times can you remember from your own youth that the words of an adult influenced the way you felt only to have an experience of your own as you got older to find out different? And didn't you feel cheated that someone else's doubts, hate or hurts had affected you so profoundly?

Even as I find that I'm older and supposed to be wiser, I find that other peoples emotions can in some small way influence how I react to someone else. I've had good friends tell me that so and so is a bad person, or they don't like them because of this reason or that reason. Then on my own I meet this person in question with some reserves, only to find that I personally like them. Now if this is possible as an adult, what does this kind of persuasion do for a young developing mind of a small child?

I know that I will be more alert to what I say around small children. And I will force myself to think before I react to situations, if for no other reason than to help a young developing mind be open to learn from their own feelings. If we all would approach life in this manner, wouldn't we be more apt to love our fellow man, to give everyone a chance and wouldn't our own prejudges die an early death? There wouldn't be anymore back-biting, tongue-lashing, and hateful and regretful words floating through the wind for a small young mind to hear and form a wrongful impression.

In the Bible, G~d says we will answer for every word we mutter and for every deed we do. How much more will we be judged from Him if what we muttered or did had a profound influence on a child? I shudder to think of how G~d feels about someone wrongfully pursuading a child's mind against Him or against what His word says. To avoid this ultimate disaster we must conform our way of thinking to His word and only speak words of encouragement around children. Don't ever let your hate for someone or something cloud your mind and spew from your mouth. This is the only way to avoid wrongfully forcing your will on a child, a child that G~d created to Love Him and Wordship Him implicitly!

[FOOD FOR THOUGHT]

Last Updated on 08-Jan-08