You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know. (Winnie the Pooh)

This week is the equivalent to Vacation Bible School at our church. So every morning the halls are buzzing with the activity of nearly fifty children who are so very excited to have fun with their friends, play camp games, and maybe, just maybe, learn a little something about God.

Weeks like this one always get me thinking: what is the most important message we can teach our children?

This quote sits on the wall right outside the door to my sons’ room. Though they cannot read yet (they’re still only two and a half), it will be there when they can one day because I want it to be one of the first things they see every morning and the last thing they see every night.

Yes – it’s that important.

The words were spoken by the silly old bear himself, Winnie the Pooh, in one of his twentieth-century movies. Though not written by A.A. Milne, this quote has become an essential part of the Hundred Acre’s canon. Milne’s genius was in showing the power of relationships that his characters displayed in every scene. He taught us that actions speak louder than words.

And yet, sometimes the right words do capture something even bigger than was originally intended.

There are few better summaries of what every child should hear – every. single. day.

Childhood is fraught with bumps and bruises and eventually the world takes its toll, even on our smallest humans. They are capable of so much more than they realize. It is sayings like this that will empower them to embrace a great deal more of their infinite potential.

Because when they know they can do anything, know that they are so incredibly loved, that is when they will find their voices and run to change the world.

Love begets love, always. Which, in the end, was Milne and Pooh Bear’s greatest legacy. Love has the power to transform every single one of us into the force for good our world so desperately needs.

So teach your children this quote. Then memorize it yourself. And let’s see what happens when generations of beloved individuals rise up together in love.