that the most important start to the day might not be breakfast!

I've been reading some fascinating books about the human psyche written by scientists. They provide significant proof that what many of us sense in our hearts is actually true. Far from being 'clean slates', even unborn babies take on the feelings and unspoken vibes of others. A baby of about 18 weeks gestation was revealed to be flinching and jumping on an ultrasound image while his parents were having an argument in the doctor's office. I wrote about a situation in which an unborn baby was being traumatised by domestic violence in my novel, "The Risky Way Home." I'm not surprised this turned out to be substantiated by fact.

I'm sure we've all heard true reports about how baby orphans in war torn countries are passive and sickly, sometimes even dying through lack of touch and loving human contact. Babies who are cuddled regularly, spoken to warmly and loved are far healthier and more robust.

I always love the way great truths about the human condition are proclaimed for all the world through the medium of stories. That is one of the main reasons why I love stories. Think of Tarzan, who lived most of the first twenty-something years of his life with no human contact at all. Yet he was discovered to be a stunning, strikingly handsome example of manhood, glowing with health and vitality. He might have lacked the sophistication of human civilisation but he did have the love and care his hirsute ape parents and extended family lavished on him.

It's exciting when science books are telling us what the Bible has made clear for years. Love is not only a potent force, in fact, it's what life is all about. God IS love! Knowing that simple things are often the most important and profound, I decided to make them a priority. When the kids wake up in the morning, I act pleased to see them. (I know some families have kids who wake up at the crack of dawn before them. I definitely don't have that situation with my homeschooled teenagers. I guess the same thing applies, when you first walk out and greet them.)

Logan and Emma are now teenagers but Blake, my youngest, is still seven years old. I might be doing my writing, busy working on a blog reflection like this or having a quiet study time. Nevertheless, when he wakes up in the morning, I drop everything for those few moments. I give him a smile, hug and, "Good morning, Blake," making sure I act really pleased to see him. Broken trains of thought should surely come second to the mental and spiritual well-being of family members. I'm convinced that when a person begins the day with the sense that other people are pleased to see them, it has the potential to really set the tone for the day.

It's nice to know that even when we feel like we're floundering in our role as parents, we can believe that the most vital things are often simple to implement.