Who said It?

‘Who Said It’

As you go through life, as you go about on your daily business you are bound to come across various pieces of information from all walks of life. It could be directions, news passed on to you or it might just be random stuff you pick up along the day.
As human beings, we absorb a lot of information but the question is this - Can we trust the source?

If you’re like me, you might have several social media accounts i.e. twitter, facebook, instagram and a lot of information is put out there. At a time, you could take this for face value but it is always best to get the truth from the person who said it or shared that piece of information.

                                              

Many relationships and friendships are often destroyed because we often choose to believe 3rd party gossip rather than listening to the person that made that statement. At times, someone may tell you something about a particular individual and just like that, a rumour or a lie has been created and if you don’t verify what the person has said then that is how trust is broken. I have seen many instances where people have believed a lie rather than seek the truth of the situation, its rather unfortunate to see but that i reality. 

Let’s address a passage which encompasses this... John 21:22 is a perfect example of this. When Jesus and Peter are having a heart to heart, Peter sees John and enquires about him so Jesus tells him that it’s not any of his business and that he should concentrate on following him. The disciples heard this and the rumour started all because they thought they heard Jesus say something where he didn’t. It can be so hard but it is wise to get the truth from the real source, the person who said it. 

Let’s endeavour to find the truth. Let’s endeavour not to listen to gossip or third party information. At all times, seek the truth and speak the truth. 

Be blessed

Who cares for you?

Around 3 years ago, I went for a routine visit to my GP so I can have my annual check up. My GP asked me how I was feeling so we had a discussion and then he said this - “You care for so many people but who cares for you”

At first, I didn’t really want to answer the question but after I left, I had time ponder on it and I really struggled at answering the question until I came to this conclusion which was If I don’t care for and look after myself, no one else will. It sounds selfish but in reality, it is the truth.
When I was studying and also teaching at the same time, I only had like one day to myself and even then I was always on call, I rarely had time for myself. When I did have time for myself, I always found myself looking after other people before myself. When my body broke down in August last year, that was when I learnt the harsh reality that I really need to be caring for myself more.

There will be times where you will need to be there for other people and if caring is your nature then it will be something that you do naturally however you can’t do care for other people if you are not in the best of conditions. Don’t wait until your body breaks down in order to start looking after yourself, Don’t wait until you become ill in order to start looking after yourself.
I have’t been the best in looking after myself because I had wanted to care for everybody else but 3 years later, I’ve taken a huge leap in finally caring for myself.

Recently, I saw a post via social media and there was a carer who devoted himself to care for other people but eventually it got too much and he took his own life. He cared for so many people but who was caring for him?

Below are a few tips at which you can care for and look after yourself
- Have regular check ups
- Eat healthily / have a healthy diet
- Have time for yourself
- Regular exercise (this could be going for walks or even going to the gym)
- Have a regular sleep pattern
- Set Boundaries

There are more tips I could provide but maybe you could write yourself a list and put them into practice......

Now i’m On the road to recovery, i’ll Be sharing a lot more of story with you all. Be intentional about yourself, be intentional about how you care and look after yourself.

See you all soon.

Being Strong when I am Weak

Hey everyone, it’s been a long while since i’ve Updated the blog. I’ve been recovering and regaining my strength. Over this time, I have had some personal revelations and I have one to share with you all.

Before I was struck down my leg infection, I was of the impression that I was strong in all areas and that nothing could bring me down, it was like I was an immovable force. Oh how wrong was I, when I had the infection, my life came to a halt, for the first time I was down, I was weak. I had to admit to myself that yes indeed, I was weak and I needed help from the people around me whether that was through prayer or through physical support.

During that time, I devoted my time to studying and I looked at a particular passage which I had looked at before but this time it had added importance. Isaiah 38:2-8 tells us of King Hezekiah, he was told by the Prophet, Isaiah, that he was going to die and he should put his house in order. Just imagine and what he was thinking at that point, it must have been shocking to hear this but nevertheless, King Hezekiah showed his strength when he turned his face to the wall and prayed to God. It was then that he broke down and the bible tells us that he ‘wept bitterly’

In the midst, God came through and strengthen him by adding 15 more years to his life. After taking encouragement from it, it was then I realised that in order for me to become strong again, I must first admit my weakness. Admitting you have a weakness and that you need help takes a lot of strength and courage

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I am now reminded that in my weakness is when I am at my strongest. I pray that you can take encouragement from this. Remember that when you are weak, that is when you become strong......... 

Be blessed always

Your environment #growth

Growth takes place in stages. You can't go from being a small boy into being a man overnight, it doesn't work like that. If something is to grow, it has to be given time and also the right environment to grow in. 

On the church bus home, I was in conversation with a fellow brother about potential and why certain footballers don't progress from being just a 'potential talent'. If we are to look at the state of the footballing world, there are many footballers who no doubt have a lot of quality and the potential to become great. The only problem is that they will never go past potential if they don't manifest themselves and grow into who they can become. 

It is considered to be one of the greatest moments of someone's life when they are given a great opportunity but in front of you, there is a lot of people in the way who are pretty much more advanced that you and henceforth you can't grow at the expected rate. 

Now, I believe that as much into lies with the person alone to want to grow, to want to move past potential, it also lies with their environment. The reason why I say this is because there are some environments that will be not conducive to their growth, in fact it will stagnate their growth. It will grow but just not as it's expected rate. 

Having potential is not enough to live on, you need to be who you were created to be. There's no doubt that we all have a lot of potential but we must go from potential to manifesting who we really are. 

Be strong, go from 'You could be great' to 'I am great'

The testing phase

For a while, I hated doing tests in school. If anything I was scared of them.
The first time I took a test, I got the results back and  it showed me what I was good at and what I needed to work on. It was a blessing to me, I saw what I needed to work on and gave me targets.
Moving forward, I'm longer of tests or exams because I know it will highlight what I'm good at and what I need to work on. 'Everybody is strong until they get tested'
Consider a joy when you go through tests. Tests are there to make you stronger............. This morning, test yourself and check the results.
#tests #examseason #testyourself #strength #weakness #checkup #education #life

Tests also reveal what you need to work on and what you need to improve on. It may also detect how strong something is. Being tested is often seen as a bad thing and can sometimes feel like you are not liked but that really isn't true. It's so they can assess where you are and what you need to do going forward.

Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:3‭-‬4 NIV
http://bible.com/111/jas.1.3-4.NIV

Are you well?

Wellbeing is 'the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy'. It's a generic term for the condition where the social, financial, psychological, spiritual or medical state. This usually means that individual's condition is positive and very high.

When someone says, 'I am well' this could be an indication that they really are well but on the other hands, is it the actual truth?

Do you have perfect wellbeing? Can you honestly say that you are happy? Can you honestly say that you are in a good place right now?

Throughout your life, you will go through times where you may feel well physically but emotionally, you feel shipwrecked. There will be times where you will feel financially well but socially you're not well in that area. For one to really achieve positive wellbeing, all the different areas must be well balanced.

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at Wellbeing in several key areas. The first one is Physical............

If you have ever woke up in the morning and you feel tired, low of energy or no general interest in getting up, there could be a possibility that your body is not in a good condition. So, how can you ensure that your body is in a top condition? You can take up exercise, you can start a diet or you can just make changes to your lifestyle. There may also be a medical reason why you feel so burnt out at times so it's very wise to see your doctor so you can see if there any underlying causes.

There are different stages to attaining physical health, what's needed is maintaining regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet and the most important part, relaxation. Relaxation is something that we fail to add as part of our lifestyle. If perfect wellbeing is to be realised, then we must learn to relax and have proper rest.

Our next part will be on Emotional wellbeing. Stay tuned

Behaviour - Is it learnt or are we born with it?

"Some behaviours have to be taught before you do them. These are learned behaviours. You aren't born knowing how to respond in a classroom when a teacher asks a question. Raising your hand and waiting to be called on is something you learn from your interaction with the world. Learned behaviours include things like speaking in a specific language (for example, English or Spanish) or how you should eat in a restaurant. If you weren't taught these things through your environment and experiences, you would not know how to do them." - Study.com

For some time now I've been thinking about behaviour and two concepts - Innate behaviour and learned behaviour.

When each of us was born, we were born with certain needs such as love, warmth, joy, happiness. But then what about speaking, eating, walking? All of this is done through what we see.

If we know that, when we see people acting like us, we should ask ourselves one key question - What type of example am I setting? The children of today have learnt everything from what they see and observe and I am sure that most of what we do, we have either picked it up from our parents or those that we hang around.

So, the next question is this - The behaviour that we have learnt, can we unlearn them? Beforehand, I thought that this wasn't possible but now my belief has changed. Behaviour can be learnt and unlearnt. The way we can unlearn certain behaviours is to change our environment and the people that we are associated with.

Everything we say or do is governed by what we see people do and what they say. In positions of leadership and management, we need to be careful of our actions and how we come across. People learn from us and this is why we need to ensure our behaviour influences them in a good way

Let's influence people in a positive way.

#openthoughts - Don't look back

'Stop looking back, look to the future'

For some time now, I've been coasting through life moving with God and following his plan for my life. There came a time when I was told this -  "Stop looking behind you, look to the front because that is where you are heading"

The old job, ex-partner, the old house, old habits............ When the going gets tough, it can sometimes be so much easier to just go back to what we know that looking ahead and going into the unknown. It's a common thing nowadays, you're looking for a job and you somehow find yourself back in the job you left some years ago. One reason is that we haven't really let go of the past, we are still looking back at it which is why we never take hold of what's to come in our future.

"Lot's wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt" - Genesis 19. As I looked at the passage alone, I froze. Lot's failed to head into the future because she looked back. She looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah and as such, she was turned into salt. She became a distant memory

As I was pondering on this, the analogy I received was this.
A house is on fire, it is literally burning down. You've gone outside but the pain of losing the house and everything inside it is too much so you decide to go back in even though everyone is telling you not to. You decide to go in but you don't make it out alive. You've been burned into ashes.

We all have problems with moving on. We just can't forget the past, it's hurt us so much that we are not ready to move on but today God is saying - "Stop looking back, look to the future"
The person may of hurt you real bad, the person may have broken you in pieces but you can't allow that to stop you from moving on. By all means, confront what's holding you back but don't stay there. Deal with it and go. You in charge of your destiny.
Look to the future...............

Ask yourself these questions - Does it have a hold over me? Am I ready to let go? Am I ready to leave the past behind?

Normally, I would prepare my blog pieces but it's been in my spirit these past few days to just write and write and just share my thoughts. As you read, I pray that you find strength and courage to take that first step and move towards the future.

#Openthoughts - There is room for everyone

Each and every day, people will rush about trying to fit in or even push people out the way so they can have space. It's a sorry sight, it's also very dangerous as people can get hurt in the process.
Trying to rush about will only delay your journey. Relax, be still, be at peace because there is room for everyone.

If you picture a typical train journey in the morning, you will see a mass of people either walking to work, getting the bus or train, taking children to school or just going from A-B. 9 times out of 10, they will all be worried about how they will get there henceforth why many people try to push past people but will find that they will end up being late and missing out.

Life will bring many demands which we will have to meet but we can negotiate those demands by being calm. Not everyone will have that same mindset but you can dictate how you react by realizing that your time will come. There will be a time when the train will be empty, when you will get a seat on the bus and when the roads are less busier than usual.

Having the 'there is room for me' mindset will ensure that you don't conform to society and the ways of the world. Failure to have this mindset will only result in frustration and then lead to the point where you copy how others react and what others do.

The key to breaking this habit is to know your identity and be confident in yourself. Be confident in what you have to offer and the impact that it will bring. You also need to know that you are unique and that you have something different. Only then will others realize that there will room for everyone to operate.

It's very possible for two strikers to play together, it's very possible for two left footers to play in one team and it is very possible for two captains to be on the pitch at the same time. Be yourself, be good to others, don't rush around and you will be able to breathe properly.

When I was young, I always thought that to be accepted by society I had to be like certain people so I can reach the top. So, that meant me trying to become a footballer or wanting to make music. Oh, how wrong was I............ I failed spectacularly but when I walked down the path of being a writer and also security I soon found out that I could walk a different path and still get to the top. This was an important lesson and one that I will never forget.

There's something a wise man used to say to me and my friends when growing up which was "You will eat, there is enough food for everyone to eat, be patient"

You will get your food and you will have enough to share with people around you. Be calm, wait your turn. There is room for me and you, There is room for everyone.

#Openthoughts - The right time

Everybody loves to talk, in fact, they say that talking is good for the soul but what happens when you start talking too much? What happens if you say things at the wrong time?

It's a well-known fact that when people need to talk, at times it is done just so that they can respond. Are you the type of person to listen just so you can talk back?
Are you the type of person who waits for their turn and talks when they need to talk?

In life, we are required to respond to every situation but how you respond is crucial. Being silent is not an option, it may work for a while but at some stage, you will have to say something but when you say it has a significant cause to it. What you say can make or break you.

When someone declares something good about themselves, 9 times out of 10 it will come to pass but when someone says something bad or makes a decree, it will take place. No matter what stage of life you are at, you have to be careful with your words.
Your words can either kill someone or give someone life. People who work in key areas such as education, social care etc have a responsibility to be careful with their words. What they say to their students, service users can have a huge bearing on what happens to them.

Your words contain so much power, your words contain so much life, your words have meaning. People may not remember what you did but they will remember what you said. Many people will not admit that what you said either blessed or hurt them, but be assured but it did. Whenever a word has an impact on someone's life, they will always remember it.

I want to tell you that whilst you may think that what you say is not important, you have to release what you want to say. Not saying anything can cause you problems but also saying things at the wrong time can cause you problems.

 Words do more than convey information. The power of our words can actually destroy one’s spirit, even stir up hatred and violence. They not only exacerbate wounds but inflict them directly. Of all the creatures on this planet, only man has the ability to communicate through the spoken word.

There will be a right time to talk. Wait for your turn................

#openthoughts - Ready, Steady, Go

Earlier today, I was walking home when I saw a lady run across the middle of the road, no concern for the safety of herself and others. So as I approached the traffic lights, this thought came to mind, there are some things we have done without waiting and as a result of that, we enter problems. What if we could of just waited that little longer, listened to God more and were more patient?

There's no doubting that everyone needs to get somewhere but there are times we it is wise that we stop and wait for the signal to keep going. 

So, let's take this from two different perspectives. You're in a car travelling at a decent speed, everything is well but then you see a red light in the distance so you start to brake and stop until you are told to go. Now, there are some instances where your journey is delayed or you are told to divert to another path. Do you obey or do you go the way you always know? Not obeying could have some serious consequences, it might even prolong your journey. 

It may benefit you in the long run to go a different path. Remember, there are many routes to reach a destination, not everyone will go the way you are going.

 Let's take a train. Just like a car, it travels at some fast speeds. On occasions it is required to stop. Failure to stop could cause it to crash into another train which can have deadly consequences. It's better to stop than to pass and cause an accident which could have been avoided. 

Now, let's look at the person waiting at the traffic lights. We know that the 'red man' sign signals we should stop, and the 'green man' sign signals we can cross. Many of us might be at a red light where have to wait and many of us have the green light to go ahead and go on our journey. However, there are some people who don't like to wait, they will cross at any moment. Doing that could cost them their life as they risk getting hurt by the onrushing traffic. Think of that as the different problems in your life or the things that have not been designed for you, you are at a red light so you can let them pass without you becoming engulfed in a harmful situation. 

Where are you in your life right now? Do you feel some parts of your life is on hold right now? There probably is a reason for it, wait patiently. The time to go is on it's way. 

The next dimension to this is the following - When you have the green light, are you actually ready to go? Are you ready to move onto the next part of your journey? 

Think about it..........................................

Ready, Steady, Go........................................

#openthoughts - Change

Change is necessary, change is needed but what do you do when you lack the ability to change?

Let's look at what the word change means -

To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform
To undergo transformation or transition:

There are plenty more versions but we like these two specifically. Reason being is that when there is a change, you will notice it. It will be visible for all to see.
When we say that we are going to change, there should normally be a visible transformation but let's address why sometimes it may not happen.

One of the reasons is down to your mindset. Yes, everyone thinks you can just embark on a journey and expect your mind and body to adjust to it straight away. Unfortunately it doesn't work like that, you must first train your mind and let it adjust to the changes but sometimes you won't get a chance, you will have to adjust. How do you train your mind? You can speak to your mind, tell it good thoughts, repeat the changes that are set to come into effect and most importantly give yourself time.

There are instances where change takes place such as - Changing schools, moving houses, starting a new job, deciding to become more healthier.
In these instances it will be common that you won't like the change but once you become consistent and you become comfortable with it, the change won't actually affect you.
When you was at school and you moved into a new year, you were forced to change and adjust to the new year. Change is never meant to be easy but the process can be calm if we allow it to be.

Change doesn't change overnight, it takes place over a period of time. Don't get upset if you don't see a change straight away, keep doing what you are doing and you will soon start to see changes.
Once you have planted the seed or the idea, it takes a process or you can call it the watering stage or even the hibernation period. During that time, is when the change starts to take place and only when it's finished is when you will see a visible change.

Some destinies are short, some dreams are dismissed because of the inability to wait for change. To see change, you need patience, you need to give it time. Because you can't see a visible change, this doesn't mean that change is taking place.
Change will always start from within before it effects the outer appearance.

Do you have the ability to change? Are you prepared to allow the change to take place?

I pray you are blessed by this and may you see the change that you desire in your life

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Over the past few weeks, I have begun to love myself again. It's not easy when you have people constantly telling you how short/tall you are, how big/tall you are, what you wear isn't acceptable. During that time, it can be possible to fall out of love with yourself.

In that time, I have decided to bring myself back to the place where I can love myself again, I have been meditating on these particular scriptures - Psalm 139:13-14 ' For you did form my inward parts; you did knit me together in my mother's womb. I will confess and praise you for you are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are your works, and that my inner self knows right well'

Looking at this scripture gives me so much life, I am reminded that even before I was born God had knitted me together, he was the one who formed me in mother's womb.
It's almost been a year since I decided to change my life, not because of what people was telling me about my weight but because I wanted to make a change, I started the journey of self love because to be honest, I couldn't see how beautiful I was but now I know that God loves me and that I should learn how to love myself. I won't pretend and tell you that this journey has been easy because it hasn't, there are still days that I question whether all this is really worth it and there are days I feel on top of the world.

When you compare yourself to others, it's known that you will be depressed with the way you look and will do anything to look like them. I have been in that place thinking to myself why don't I look like someone else. It was then that I realised that I am not like them, I can never be like them. It was at that point I gave up trying to look like other people and decided to focus on myself for a change. I started to buy myself clothes, treat myself to fresh haircuts and everything else that comes with it. I even booked nights away where I could reconnect with myself.

If you are struggling with confidence, with issues relating to image, just know that you are not alone. There are many people out there who go through the same issues and there are many people who have overcome that fear.
Love yourself well. Love your perfections and imperfections, love everything about you.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made, You are beautiful, You are unique, You are original.
There can only ever be one of you.

Stop Worrying, Rest your mind

What will I eat, what will I drink, what will I wear. When will this happen, when will it arrive………. 
When will I get married, when will I get a house, a car…………….. Your mind will be racing with thoughts and worry when really these are questions that can not be answered. 

These are questions that we all ask and generally we get upset when we don’t know. I’ve often caught myself asking these questions and when people can’t answer me, I get upset and feel lumbered with the decision of making it myself. 

Let’s look a few scriptures which tell us about worry 

““Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:34‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life? [Ps. 39:5-7.] And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these. [I Kings 10:4-7.] But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:25-32‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In both passages, we are seeing that Jesus is telling us to stop worrying about the finer things in life. Lets provide ourselves with a eye opener – Babies are the most relaxed people I know, they don’t have a care in the world because they know that their mother and father will always provide for them. If babies can be peaceful, why can’t we be peaceful? 

God knows what you need, worrying about it won’t help you get it any quicker. Be calm, be relaxed, just focus on God and the rest will follow. 

“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭AMP‬‬

All things will be given to you when you seek Gods face. Don’t worry about it, God has it under control. When you pile up your mind up with worry, you will never be able to enjoy rest and peace, instead you will be anxious, fearful and always cautious. 

Don’t allow worry to take over your life, instead be safe in the knowledge that God has everything under control.

Do you love yourself #openthoughts

Do you love yourself? That was a question posed to me recently. It was a question I had to think long and hard about.

Before I answered, I had to break it down into - How can I love myself?

There’s a saying which is ‘Look after yourself before you look after others’. At first glance you would think it’s quite a selfish quote but when you read it again, it will make sense. Looking after others will require a lot from you and if you aren’t well yourself, it could end in disaster.

One of the ways is to Take a break - Yes, take a break. In life, you will get involved in so many things that you find you have no time for yourself. This results in being rundown, tired and soon or later turn into depression. From time to time, take a break, go on a spa, rest yourself and regain your energy.

Anther way is to cut off all the toxic people in your life - You will find that there are people who will drain all your energy and demand time from you. Please, it's time to cut them off, they are not helping you or your health.

Live a healthy lifestyle - This is a way to destress yourself. From time to time, it's always good to get out and stretch yourself. It also benefits your mental health and it will keep the brain ticking. Eating healthily can also contribute to us being well both physically and mentally.

Treat yourself - Now and again, it is good to treat yourself. This could mean from buying new clothes to watching the latest movie at the cinema. Go on a shopping spree, have a night out with friends. Treat yourself, make yourself feel special.

Focus - Focus on yourself for a change. We have a tendency to want to help everyone around us and take on their problems but in reality we simply can't do that. It's not wrong to want to focus on yourself for a while, get yourself back to full fitness, regain your happiness and most of all love yourself.

Listen to your body - Rushing around can eventually cause us to slow down and then stop. It's good to get things done but there's a need to slow down and take it easy. Listen to your body, know when to stop or when to put the brakes on.
Picture a car travelling at a fast speed, it fails to spot the red light ahead and then crashes. Instant write off. That can become us when we ignore warning signs, we too can crash and burn. In order to prevent that, listen to your body.

When I think of love, I think of it as an action word. Loving yourself is the most important thing you should do, because let's face it - if you can't love yourself, who else will?
There will come a time when loving yourself becomes hard but it can get easier when you begin to value yourself and see yourself how God sees you.

Ask yourself if you spend time doing what you love, Ask yourself if you have time for yourself
Loving others can be very hard when we don't love ourselves.

I pray this blesses you and helps you to start that journey of love

#OpenThoughts :Children - a gift from God

For some time now, I've been talking with the Lord on certain subjects and each and every time it comes down to one subject - Children.

Children are a gift from God, they are very special. It grieves my heart when I hear that a child has either been murdered by their parents or be involved in many gruesome activities. I want to highlight what neglect and abuse can do to your children .

What is neglect?
Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and is the most common form of child abuse.
A child may be left hungry or dirty, without adequate clothing, shelter, supervision, medical or health care.
A child may be put in danger or not protected from physical or emotional harm.
They may not get the love, care and attention they need from their parents.
A child who's neglected will often suffer from other abuse as well. Neglect is dangerous and can cause serious, long-term damage - even death.

(Types of Neglect)

Physical neglect
Failing to provide for a child’s basic needs such as food, clothing or shelter. Failing to adequately supervise a child,or provide for their safety.

Educational neglect
Failing to ensure a child receives an education.

Emotional neglect
Failing to meet a child’s needs for nurture and stimulation, perhaps by ignoring, humiliating, intimidating or isolating them. It’s often the most difficult to prove.

Medical neglect
Failing to provide appropriate health care, including dental care and refusal of care or ignoring medical recommendations.

In our society, Neglect is very high and it's also very common. While we know what it can do physically, what does it do mentally?

Someone who has suffered neglect will often grown up alone, afraid to make relationships and unable to look after themselves. People who are neglected will often stay silent for fear of the resulting consequences and what could happen next.

Now, what is abuse?
Child abuse is any action by another person – adult or child – that causes significant harm to a child. It can be physical, sexual or emotional, but can just as often be about a lack of love, care and attention. We know that neglect, whatever form it takes, can be just as damaging to a child as physical abuse.

An abused child will often experience more than one type of abuse, as well as other difficulties in their lives. It often happens over a period of time, rather than being a one-off event. And it can increasingly happen online.

We estimate that over half a million children are abused in the UK each year.

People who are abused will almost certainly experience a mental breakdown and within the recent past, it's been decided that if you fail to provide emotional support, you can get sent to prison.

Psalm 105:15 - "Touch not my anointed; do my prophets no harm"

Romans 12:19 - "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge, I will repay", says the Lord

Those that have been neglected and abused will always harbour feelings towards the perpetrators but God is saying to leave it to him, let him avenge on your behalf.

Children need space and time to grow, time to flourish and time to be themselves. Children also need to be in an environment which is conducive for them and also a place where they feel loved and wanted. They also need consistency in their lives

Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it"

Help your children to live well, don't cut short the assignment that God has placed over their lives. Ending a child's life is not only cutting short their destiny, you are also killing off a whole generation.

Psalm 127:3 - Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him

Children are a gift from God - Treat them well........................................................

You can do something today, help look after a child, help train a child, help a family in need, help a family in the middle of a breakdown. Do something today. Help a child live