Truett Cathy's 7 Reminders for Building Children--A Much Needed Reminder to Me. .

I've reached the final week of my first class at Wilmington University. Yeah, 535 points available in the whole class and 225 of them are in the last week.   I've gotten all but six points up until this point but I could still completely fail in the last week. No pressure there.  So here I am at 3:00 a.m. working on my research paper that is due a week from now.  Because unlike those fortunate people that work well under the pressure of procrastination, I am not one of them and will totally end up having a nervous breakdown if I don't have it done in time to let Adam proof read it.   This is my only prerequisite class not yet met.   (Principles of Management)..  I will be glad to move into my Marketing classes and get into the stuff that I really love.  But I have to admit that a class on Management couldn't have fallen at a better place and time in history.  It's been fascinating to learn about companies that are successfully meandering through the weak economy and to pinpoint some of the traits that have made them successful.  Without boring you with further details, I'll just say that in my opinion, the businesses that are thriving have earned it.

And speaking of thriving businesses and what brings me over here today.  I'm doing my final research paper on Truett Cathy, founder of Chic-fil-A.  I have been inspired by the man since I heard him speak when I was attending  one of the many colleges I've attended as we've done our ministry tour across America.  He's a fascinated man with high principles and as I was researching his management principles, I came across his 7 Reminders for Building Children.  And I must admit here.  It was a bit of a slap in the face. Overwhelmed by the tasks that lie ahead this week, I went to bed tonight praying the song,  (because I couldn't even think straight enough to say my own prayer)


Create in me a clean heart oh God And renew a right spirit within me Create in me a clean heart oh God And renew a right spirit within me  Cast me not away From thy presence oh Lord Take not thy Holy Spirit from me  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation And renew a right spirit within me

---

7 Reminders For Building Children*
by S. Truett Cathy,
Founder and Chairman of Chick-fil-A

1. Every child I know who overcame long odds and grew into a responsible adult can point to an adult who stepped into his or her life as a friend, mentor, and guide.
    
2. Don’t be too concerned that your children don’t listen to you. But be very concerned that they see everything you do.
    
3. Be so consistent in your discipline that you’re boring.
    
4. Stop arguing in front of your children.
    
5. You may think children have outgrown the desire to be rocked to sleep at night. They haven’t.
    
6. Children will never believe in the covenant of marriage unless they see you living it with their own eyes.
    
7. How do you know if a child needs encouragement? If he or she is breathing.

And since I couldn't sleep, I took these points as the answer to my prayer.   I look at these points and think "ouch"?  Let's see.  Adam's adjunct teaching to help pay for my school, all three of us girls are going to school.  I've got 10 hours a week that I'm childless which means the housework is lacking (despite Adam's avid attempts to pitch in).  Soccer games, field trips, guitar practice, spelling words, multiplication facts, projects and the work of a little church where the duties out number the people.  Class to teach on Wed night, small groups to prepare for at my house on Sunday night, calendars to plan and more than I can even remember right now.   Based on number 4 alone, our children are doomed.  We're severely slacking on number 3 and all of the rest of them could use some work too.. And I begin to wonder.. Can I do this without my children being the sacrifice?

For now, I thank God for squeezing a much needed view of Him into the research for my paper and though I don't make it over here much to post and will be forgotten as a blogger, please don't forget us in your prayers..  We need them.

Blessings,

Dana