The Greatest of These Is Love - The Healing Force
Believe me, love is a force, a powerful healer of relationships, and its presence has a good effect on everyone. But first you must find it, and submit to it, before it can come through you.
I'm sure you've all seen the situation where there is a room full of kids and the teacher (coach, camp leader or other authority) is temporarily out of the room. All pandemonium breaks out. But suddenly, the door bursts open and there stands the teacher. Order is immediately restored! The mere presence of the authority had a calming effect.
The ultimate authority is Love (understanding and patience) which comes through the humble soul from God. If you have this form of authority (because, paradoxically, you are willing to get your ego out of the way), it will solve all your problems. Now do you see why Christ said: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His right way, and all other things will be added unto you."
First of all, I must say that there is no substitute for understanding and patience. Understanding leads to patience. Common sense is the most basic form of understanding. A higher form of understanding is what we call wisdom. As a parent, you need commonsense and wisdom.
Now the beautiful thing about understanding is that it is also patience. All the beautiful parental virtues such as patience, thoughtfulness, caring, and knowing the proper measure are all facets of understanding. I must also say that to be a good parent, especially in today's day and age, you will need understanding, wisdom, and the courage to implement what is right.
As a parent you must look into your heart to find the right measure of giving and withholding, or giving and receiving, or taking charge or deferring, of gentleness or firmness. No one can teach you this: you must search out the way with attentiveness, kindness, concern (not worry), and prayer.
Here's a an example of understanding. Your child is not doing her homework.
