Save The Children

Arise, lift up the lad... hold him with your hand... for I will make him a great nation.
Genesis 21:18

In a jealous rage Sarah told Abraham: "Cast out this bondwoman and herson" (Genesis 21:10). That's when God intervened. He met Hagar at her lowest point and gave her four steps every single parent should take:

(1) "Arise" - raise your own self esteem. You can't lift others while you yourself are down. Get God's opinion of you. Allow His Word to pull you out of every slump you've fallen into.
(2) "Lift up the lad" - give your children positive reinforcement. Regardless of your regrets, your pain or your personal state, God will empower you to lift your children.Many people are mere fragments of what they might have been if someone had lifted them up. This is so important. No one can come from the outside and tear down your child if you've truly lifted them up.
(3)"Hold him with your hand" - initiate personal contact. A warm hug, a touch, it seems simple but it's powerful. Your hand scents them like sheep are scented by the shepherd. They know his scent. They recognise his voice. They respond to his touch. If the only time your children hear your voice is in criticism they will shy away from you.Psychologists call it "bonding." If our children don't get it they become dwarfed in their personal, spiritual and mental well-being. It'samazing what a touch will do.
(4) "I will make him... great" - never think that you're not raising great children just because you're raising them alone. God is with you. Your mistakes needn't prevent your children from being great in God's kingdom!