Titus 2 Men And Women

Every once in a while something startles me and this lesson is one of those times. I remember when I was pregnant that I prayed for a healthy baby. I'm sure most of you did the same thing. After my babies were born I looked them over and made sure that all the parts were there. Does that sound familiar? When one of our children got sick, not just a cold but one of the bigger problems, I prayed that they would get well. But I don't ever remember praying that God would keep them well in the first place! Maybe I did but I sure don't remember doing it. I do know that God blessed us with boys who were usually well. When one of our boys got sick or injured it was hospital time.

The amazing thing is that even though I neglected to pray for their health until they were in the hospital, once I started to pray God always saw fit to heal them.

Psalm 103:1-3 "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;"

It is wonderful to know that we can pray for healing when illness comes but we can also pray for health as preventive medicine.

Of course, second to prayer, the best preventive medicine is good body maintenance.

Food: Controlling a child's diet in todays fast paced society is very difficult. Sadly, many families never sit down at a table and eat a meal together. Re-examine the eating habits of your family. Do you sit down together as a family to eat a meal at least once a day? (One of the side benefits of this is being able to teach your children table manners.) Are fresh fruits and vegetables part of your family diet? Limit the use of pre-packaged meals, chips, sweetened cereals, candy, etc.

Rest: Establish bed times that are child appropriate.Remember that every child is not the same, some need more rest then others of the same age. When a child will be up later than usual have a rest time during the day. If they don't nap at lesst require they lay quietly in their bed and read or listen to soothing music for a specified time.

Fluids: Milk is of course a necessary part of a child's diet, however, don't neglect water. Fruit juices are a good source of vitamins, however, read the labels. Many times what we think is juice is only flavored and sweetened water. Some children who have a tendancy toward hyperactivity will improve within days of removing artificial flavors and colors from their diet. Most commercial chocolate milk is not milk at all, read the label. Encourage your child to drink several glasses of water each day. Soft drinks are a huge problem in the diet of children today. They are loaded with sugars, artificial flavors, artificial colors, artificial sweetners, caffeine and preservatives while having essentially no food value. Remember the water...nothing flushes the toxins from the kidneys as well as water.

Cleanliness: While many people do not need to bathe or shower everyday, we do need to wash. Children should be taught to wash their hands everytime they use the bathroom, when they come in from outside, before meals, and at bedtime. Recent testing has shown that the two most germ invested public surfaces are the door handles of public restrooms and the handles of shopping carts. Keep hand sanitizer or moistened hand wipes in your purse and vehichle.

Exercise: Sadly, there are many children today who never exercise unless it is required. Require physical exercise before allowing a child to spend time doing idle activities. I know an 8 year old boy who can not ride a bicycle because all he wants to do is play video games, and his parents allow him to do what he wants. Children need exercise to develop bones, muscles, joint flexibility and co-ordination. Physical exercise also strengthens heart and lung activity.

All of these things will allow a child to be healthier and more mentally alert. A child who is given a healthy diet will develop the habit of eating healthy. They will crave the fruits and vegetables instead of junk food as the grow. Individuals who learn in childhood to drink water, will find that nothing else quenches their thirst as well. Childhood obesitiy, diabetes, depression and hyperactivity are increasing steadily in our society as a whole. How many of these increases might we be able to slow if we purposed to follow healthy habits instead of listening to the advertisers telling us what we want or need? The only way to find out is to use Godly wisdom in attending to the growth and development of our children.

Luke 2:52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

1Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

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