Obedience is the earliest character trait your child must develop, and the earlier he or she begins to practice it, the happier your home will be. Although some modern experts on childrearing would say that the will of a child should not be suppressed, common sense and experience tell us that our children need …
Hospitality is closely related to courtesy, selflessness, deference, and friendliness. It implies a special type of kindness put into action. Perhaps the best way to understand hospitality is to discuss what it is not. Hospitality is the exact opposite of selfishness. We live in a world full of selfish people of all ages. When selfish …
Where would the world be today if no one ever listened to instructions? How many bicycles would actually be usable? How much of the food we now enjoy would be “less than desirable”? Instructions are very important in everyday life. Not only are physical instructions important, but so are verbal instructions. Many people say they …
As the Revolutionary War neared its end, General George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army, thought that future generations would find it hard to believe that the force employed by Great Britain to subdue the rebels “could be baffled…by numbers infinitely less, composed of men oftentimes half starved, always in rags, without pay, and experiencing, …
A lawyer had successfully handled a difficult court case for a wealthy friend. Following the happy outcome of the case, the friend called on the lawyer, expressed his appreciation of his work, and handed him a handsome leather wallet. The lawyer looked at the wallet in astonishment and handed it back with a sharp reminder …
One of the hardest character traits to define is courage. Some would say that it is the same as bravery; others would say that courage is the lack of fear. In actuality, however, courage makes a person continue in the face of great fear. Historical figures abound who demonstrated great courage. In Character Connection, instead …
Being a balanced person is something that both adults and children struggle with. Let your children know that being balanced is not easy, even for adults. However, if young people can learn and apply these principles of being balanced, they will be much closer to achieving balance as adults. A balanced person doesn’t even everything out …
Though unfair in some aspects, a first impression can forever fix the way someone else will always view us. Oh, how we wish we could go back in time and redo some first impressions! We would want to fix this, change that, cover up that major blemish, take back some words or even replace …
Our intent of teaching adaptability in Character Connection is to help children find a way to do right, even when life throws some tough times at them. Some children have challenging situations at home and might think they cannot possibly do right in that environment. Even those with Christian homes still face a culture every …
In the Bible, diligence is applying constant effort toward reaching a goal. Our memory verse, Proverbs 22:29, states, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” When a person applies constant effort in building a business, God takes notice and so do others. …
Not telling the truth is an age-old problem. It began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve lied to God, and it has continued to this day. From the White House to the schoolhouse, lying and deception are more common than truthfulness and honesty. What is it that makes humans desire to deceive …
Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, and writer, once said, “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” How often do you hear, “Please,” or “Thank you,” from young people? When something is done for us, we should be appreciative and express that appreciation. Our speech reflects our heart’s attitude and our level …
Deference is a trait that is hard to define and maybe even harder to practice. Deference is part good manners, part humility, and part unselfishness. It sometimes involves putting yourself last and taking responsibility for a problem even when it is not your fault. In contrast, if we are always focused on ourselves, we can …
Forgiving someone can be difficult, since we are human—it initially feels good to our human nature to stay angry. However, when we forgive, we are acting as Christ would act and fulfilling His desire for us. When our children learn to forgive, they grow more like Jesus and ultimately become happier people. Let’s examine the …
The quality of trustworthiness is a foreign concept to many adults, yet good parents will always seek to pass on this trait to their children. It is often a challenge to even describe the concept of being trustworthy, but understanding helps us practice good habits. We understand that trustworthiness has to do with obedience, but …