The answer to that question might not be what you think.
Right this very second I’m at Ashtyn’s Upwards Kids basketball game at our church. All of the kids are in a row watching the halftime 5-minute message.
It was really engaging as one girl was acting totally silly to illustrate a point with our children’s pastor.
He told us that if we believed in Jesus we should raise our hands. Most of the kids looked back to see if their parents were raising their hands.
I guess a lot of parents didn’t feel the question was directed at them because many the adults didn’t raise their hands.
You know who noticed? The kids!
As the kids were raising their hands they were looking back to see if their parents were raising theirs.
They see more than you think
I watched one little boy whisper-holler at his parents and tell them to raise their hands and motion them to do what he said.
They didn’t do it.
He wasn’t happy and looked back again and yelled to them to raise their hands! I think he was really concerned about their salvation at that point!
They finally raised their hands just a little bit.
Oh boy!
I thought about how many times our kids look to us to actually lead them with our ACTIONS instead of just our words.
I started thinking about how my actions don’t always match my words. I need to sharpen that up. Not just for me and my future, but for my kids and their future. That takes a whole other level.
What about you?
Do you lead with words or actions?
Do your kids or grandkids call you out?
4 comments
My son James is 22 months, so not quite old enough to call me out verbally, but you are right, and it is so important to me that he always remember something like this, like his mom raising her hand that she believes in Jesus.
I think that valid point..my kids are adults and call me out on a lot of different things. I believe that if you want your children to behave a certain way then you have to lead by example..I really wished I knew then what I know now about raising my kids by leading with the right example..I was a young mother that believed I am the mom and have to do what was asked and my behavior and actions my children wouldn’t see..now that I have grown in Jesus words I would do things differently..Thank God I have a second chance with my grandkids..and now I do things differently..I lead by sight now..Thanks Pastor Nicole for calling me out and reminding me of this valid point..
Thought provoking and insighful! This has challenged me to be consistent with my words, actions and deeds!
Thanks for always sharing from your real life experiences!
I love this! Great imagery with the boy, I could totally see my brother doing the same thing to my parents when we were little. This really challenged me in a gentle way. Thank you!