“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well”         (Psalm 139:14, ESV).

     A story was reported in the Midland Daily News about a man named Don Baber. Don was so proud of his mom that he posted an unusual offer on eBay as a way of honoring her life. Don offered bidders a chance to buy one day of her attention “to make you feel like you are the most special person on earth.”

    Over a period of seven days, 42,711 people visited the auction site. Ninety-two persons placed their bids, pushing the price from an opening bid of one dollar to a closing bid of $610. Don Baber’s offer reveals a lot about our individual need for affirmation from our parents.
 
            Author, Alvin Price, once wrote:
                 Parents need to fill a child’s bucket

                 of self-esteem so high 
                 that the rest of the world can’t poke
                 enough holes in it to drain it dry.

There is no greater predictor of an adult’s emotional insecurity than a child who failed to received enough affirmation during his or her formative years. By contrast, affirming our children is the most effective way of building their self-esteem, increasing their resiliency, and strengthening their faith.
 
     Listen to the self-confidence exuded by the author of Psalm 139:14. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Someone in this author’s life encouraged him and instilled in him a steadfast belief in his sense of value, favor, and acceptance in God’s sight. Likewise, repeating positive affirmations also can reduce defeatist thinking, turn pessimistic thoughts into positive thoughts, put small things in perspective, reduce worries, and combat anxiety.
 
     Sometimes affirmation requires only your presence at a ballgame. Affirmation also can be displayed by playing Legos with your child or buying her an ice cream cone for receiving positive marks in school. The absence of criticism is not enough. Children need a brand of encouragement that is deliberate, consistent, and authentic.
 
     The news columnist, George Adams, once said that “To praise is an investment in happiness.” Every word we speak and every action we take either can be a deposit into or a withdrawal from our child’s future emotional account. Yes, affirmation is undoubtably one of the most valued bequests that any parent can give to the next generation.