The sensitive parent

The sensitive parent (Luke 1:26-38)

Joseph- the natural father of our Lord Jesus knew what to do at every point of his boy's development. 

What is sensitivity?

Sensitivity is to:

•      feel others' hurts

•      notice their needs, and

•      appreciate their worth

The above definition clearly gives us opportunity to provide the five basic needs highlighted by Abraham Masclow in his hierarchy of needs, they are:

1.    Psychological (food, water, air, sleep)

2.    Safety (from physical and emotional attack, fatal disease, invasion and extreme losses)

3.    Love/belongings (Inclusion, Affection and Control)

4.    Esteem (Self-esteem. Achievement. Self respect and Respect for others)

5.    Actualisation (Morality, Creativity, Problem Solving)

You may be curious about the Spiritual need which is not included in Masclow’s theory. But it is there, at the centre, which is LOVE. Every child needs to be included not only into a group or club but mostly be given an opportunity to be in the household of God, by consciously receiving Jesus as his Lord and personal Saviour. Every child needs to grow like Jesus. Luke 2:52 ‘And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.’ (KJV)

·         increased in wisdom (Mentally)

·         stature (Physically)

·         in favour with God (Spiritually)

·         and man (Socially)

Why must you be sensitive?

•         To negate every enemy’s plan over your child. (Vs 13 ‘For Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.’)

•         To save you and your child from mockery. (Vs 16 ‘Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked.’)

•         To stop every evil sword from reaching your child. (Vs 16 ‘and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem.’)

•         To avoid present and future weeping. (Vs 18 ‘Rachel is crying for her children; she refuses to be comforted, for they are dead.’ (Weeping)

To bring your child to fulfillment in life you need to be sensitive. The following acrostic is what every child wants his parent to do for him or her.

See to it that you tell me about God

Examine my body daily

Never give me anything I cry for so that I don’t think the whole world belongs to me alone

Show me good examples because I will never fail to do what I see you do

I need you to correct me always

Teach me how to live well

I want you to give me a listening ear

Verify what I do daily

Earthly and eternal rewards you will receive for raising me, so why not work hard on me

Benefits of being a sensitive parent

•         Vs 13 ‘An angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph.’ (Divine visitation)

•         Vs 13 ‘So get up, take the child and his mother. (Promotion)

•         Vs 13 ‘And escape to Egypt, and stay there.’ (Escape)

•         Vs 13 ‘Until I tell you to leave.’ (Direction)

•         Vs 17 ‘What the prophet Jeremiah had said came true.’ (Fulfillment)

•         Vs 20 ‘Those who tried to kill the child are dead.’ (Victory)  

God bless you, as you diligently raise God's property at your disposal and enjoy your unending rewards.

Israel Adedayo is an educationist, entertainer and evangelist fully committed to total development of every child.