We teach them through television and many of the evils which society exalts, such as fast food, sweets, foods that contain no nutritional value! We must guard our children and teach them, instill good morals and values into them, for these are the next generations, which will be running this country should the Lord delay His return. Do we really want our children filling their bodies with empty foods? Are we teaching our children that eating foods lacking nutrition is perfectly acceptable? 

What exactly are we teaching our children? Think about this… When you give them a bowl of cereal, you might just as well have given them the sugar bowl. We need to be more cautious about what our children are putting into their bodies, things like sugar content, chemicals and etc. Children are from God, and He has placed them in our care and holds each one of us responsible for the well being of that child. God expects us to love, nurture, guide and teach these children so that they will not fall from the His ways.

If your child gets sick or is drowning, wouldn’t you lay down your life for your child’s? Every one of us would answer the same way to that question… the answer would be yes! So then why are we ignoring God’s gifts to us and corrupting them with false ideas and beliefs? God provided the food for man that would sustain our needs and keep us healthy and strong. Why then are we teaching our children that’s it’s okay to put poison in your system, to destroy the temple of God? 

Let’s take a look at some of the foods that we allow our children to consume or place into the temples, which God created. I can’t think of any child that doesn’t like to snack during the day, after a hard day at school or while doing homework. What are we feeding them? What kind of poison are we putting into their bodies? Chips… Candies… Soda Pop… Frozen Dyed Sugar Water… doesn’t this just sound so nutritional and nourishing to the body?

Healthy children need healthy foods. Our families need to consume good nutritional foods at meal times and during the day as we snack. Your dinner table should have vegetables, fruit, lean meat, grains, rice or potatoes. Did you know that cornbread and beans or inexpensive and contain complete protein which the body requires?

Breakfast should consist of good wholesome foods, whole milk, fruit, eggs, potatoes and meats to satisfy the morning hunger. Did you know that hot cakes made from stone ground grains actually holds good nutritional value? Foods like Cheeses, yogurt with fresh fruit and fruit juices are just a few of the good wholesome foods that will keep the body full of energy until the next meal?

Young Minds listen better when the body is nourished. What are schools feeding our children? Have you ever just set down and listen to your child describe what the educational system is feeding them in order to provide nourishment to their young bodies? Listen to just a few of these nourishing foods that our children are placing into their young growing bodies daily while school is in session. Hot dogs… French fries… chicken nuggets (really chicken?)… Pizza… and many desserts loaded with sugar. Sounds real nourishing doesn’t it?

Now think about how many schools have soda machines, vending machines and even candy machines in them so our children can have access to these other poisons. How many fundraisers within our schools sell candy in order to raise money? What is our educational system teaching these young minds? Go to the store and buy your child a lunch box, insulated and a reusable ice block. Send your child to school with fruit juice, salads, fresh fruit, fresh vegetable, raisins and homemade treats made with real nourishing quality foods.

Providing your children with these nutrients at lunch will keep them more content in school and assist them in their learning process, which is the main reason we send our children to school in the first place. Let’s help them make the right choices! A child with good foods going into them feels better and is more alert. They learn easier, are sick less and have a more stimulating outlook on life and learning. They are happier, and will be less likely to demonstrate corrupted or unacceptable behavior. They will demonstrate their increased attention span as they listen to you guide them through your teaching and examples.

Now we need to teach these children to cook. Even a young child can start helping around the kitchen. Take the time and make preparing the family meals a family project. Get the whole family involved in the process. You just might be surprised what your children will learn as you put the ingredients together for the meal. You’ll be surprised at just how much they will retain from the time cooking in the kitchen, as this will play a large part in their education process dealing with life.

Meal times are perfect for stressing good manners. Teaching our children through example as well as explaining what is acceptable and what is not helps them to understand and learn the basics. We must teach our children to respect all those at our tables not just in actions and words, but in body as well. It is a wonderful time to share your deepest commitment to God through family prayer and breaking bread together. In this busy world it maybe the only time we have to reinforce our morals and values to our children.

Believe me when I say that the world is trying to destroy that which God has created and given to us to cherish and raise in His image. During meal times you can discuss issues that occur daily in their lives and show them that you really do care about what the experience in their daily lives. It’s during mealtimes that we are afforded the opportunity to introduce valuable information about life to our children as we break bread together. The body is receiving the nutrition that God provided and the soul is receiving nutrition through God’s messengers (parents).

God has provided the foods necessary to sustain these bodies. God provides the foods that are rich in nutrients and vitamins while we exist on this earth! Why are we not taking advantage of His wisdom and knowledge? Who are we to even think that we know better than God? Let’s leave the emptiness out of our children’s lives and start filling them up the nourishment, which God provides. After all God provides nourishment for both the body and the soul, for God is the provider!!

Author: Rev. K. Grimes