Answering the Tough Questions Children Ask

My son asked me the other day how I am able to accept rejection when I offer a class or a service as part of my business and no one shows up or responds. Every entrepreneur knows that this is always a possibility and a deep belief in your product and services will help you to be patient while the right people discover what you have to offer. So this was a chance to talk about business and risk with my son. However, having also lived through rejection of a much more painful sort it was also an opportunity to offer him perspective of a deeper and broader aspect of weathering rejection.

The natural human response to being hurt is to harden your heart and refuse to love or take risks. God in His mercy offers us another choice through His example and through his words. "He is very near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." He is able to fill our hearts with love that remains even when devalued by others. That is exactly the love He has for us because we devalue His love for us every time we take our focus from Him and choose to go our own way.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,  it is not easiy angered,it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Going through times of loss or rejection and leaning on God's words gives us experience that we can share with our children to strengthen them for unforeseen difficulties in their future.

My son doesn't strike me as someone who will experience a lot of rejection in his life because he genuinely cares deeply for other people. But upon reflection, I know that that very quality does leave him open to pain and rejection. It would be my hope for him that he will never close his heart but will accept the pain that sometimes comes with loving deeply.

Rejection is a part of life and it can be packaged in many ways: friends that can't find the time for you, a job promotion that goes to someone else, a romantic interest that choses someone else. a business offer that is not purchased, etc. Each one hurts in its own way. Yet, "we are knocked down but not destroyed" because our self worth is rooted in how much God loves us and not in the frailties of human interaction in its various forms. We rise up to deepen friendships, advance in our jobs,seek romantic love, and start a business. We look out for the interests of others and in so doing take our eyes off of our own pain and struggles and live to love and risk another day.

The very struggles and difficulties that you have faced or are facing are the brick and mortar for the lessons you will teach your children when they ask. The lessons you have learned the hard way can cushion their similar experiences. This requires dialogue. You must remain open and available to your children so they will ask for your advice and wisdom. Exercising Values gets us in the habit of being available to our children. The world will seek to fill your days with trivial things but don't you let it. Plan a life that is available to those who love you and those you love. Our time is often the greatest gift we give to other people.

Staying healthy is also a gift we give to those who want us around a long time. Besides quality family time, Exercising Values also promotes a healthy life style through exercise, nutrition and stress management. It teaches character along side fitness. It is my hope that you will read the book and embrace the lifestyle it advocates and see enormous improvements in your health, vitality and family life.