EAST TO WEST...I LOVE YOU BEST!

Today I would like to share three things that, if you are not doing, will enhance the peacemaking in your family.
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1. LOOK ME IN THE EYE! This amazing tree certainly gave me a shock, once I realized that there were eyes staring out at me. Actually, I want this tree to be a reminder to you of something that is VERY IMPORTANT in your family dynamic.

Take time to look each other in the eyes. Teach these practices /courtesies to your children:

• When you are having a discussion, give eye contact.
• When you need someone's attention, make sure you have made eye contact before you start talking.
• When you are disciplining your child, make sure there is eye contact..."Look at me, please!"
• When two siblings are arguing, sit them down, knee to knee and eye to eye and give them alternate "one minute times to talk"... lovingly insist that the knees and eyes continue to meet.

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Do you know what happens? There are more people who feel listened to, affirmed, and loved. Often, being proactive in making eye contact will be the best way to "keep the peace." The "eyes" have it...BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!!!

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2. HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE ME? When your children are little, be sure and play this "one minute manager" game often:

• Mommy says, "Let's play the HOW MUCH game!"
• Child says, "How much do you love me? As far as the north (up) is from the south (down)?" stretching arms up and down.
• Mommy answers, "No! I love you more than from the east (right) to the west (left)!" stretching arms way out from right to left and then ending up in a bear hug with the child.

Purpose: Teachable moments can follow this activity after you and your child embrace. You can then talk and/or hold him/her.

• Start early teaching the child about the great love of Jesus...that He stretched His arms out "as far as the east is from the west" and died for us.
• Talking about Directional concepts are some of the most difficult for children to learn. You will forever be thankful that your child understands north, south, east, west, AND WHO created it all!

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3. HELD! When we're at our weakest, we need a peacemaker who gives more than a handshake...we need to be held... Before watching this video, please go to the playlist and scroll down to the last song, HELD, by Natalie Grant. Listen to her tell why she wrote this song...then watch the video.

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No peace? No Jesus! Know peace? Know Jesus!

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BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS,

FOR THEY SHALL BE CALLED THE SONS OF GOD!

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HELD by Natalie Grant
Two months is too little ... They let him go
They had no sudden healing ... To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother...While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we'd be rescued ... What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We're asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it's unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell -We'd be held
This hand is bitterness ... We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
If hope is born of suffering ... If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait, for one hour ... Watching for our savior
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held
[Repeat Chorus]
This is what it means to be held
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