We celebrated Children's Sunday today. Our pastor's theme was that children are a heritage from God. He said it's frightening sometimes to realize that our children mirror the way we speak and act. I learn that lesson all too well everyday when my wife and I forget our daughter is in the backseat and we say a "bad" word like stupid or hate. She has no problems reminding us.
Children don't learn to love and obey God only by what we say. They also learn by watching what we do. Children have a sixth sense about hypocrisy and can spot it right away. They know exactly when our "talk" doesn't match our "actions." They can spot it a mile away. We are teaching lessons, good and bad, every day we live. When we teach our kids about right and wrong, yet see us run that yellow light or tell them to fudge their age to get a cheaper price at a restaurant or theater, we are giving them conflicting messages. What are lessons are we teaching with our actions?
We can't be perfect parents, but our children must see our desire to serve the Lord. When we fall short, they must see us repent and ask for God's forgiveness. One of the hardest thing for a child to do is to admit they were wrong. But when they see us do it, it tells them it's OK. We're also teaching them that our God is a forgiving God and He's ready to forgive if we ask. A godly parent is a child's best guide to God. Be blessed.
Children don't learn to love and obey God only by what we say. They also learn by watching what we do. Children have a sixth sense about hypocrisy and can spot it right away. They know exactly when our "talk" doesn't match our "actions." They can spot it a mile away. We are teaching lessons, good and bad, every day we live. When we teach our kids about right and wrong, yet see us run that yellow light or tell them to fudge their age to get a cheaper price at a restaurant or theater, we are giving them conflicting messages. What are lessons are we teaching with our actions?
We can't be perfect parents, but our children must see our desire to serve the Lord. When we fall short, they must see us repent and ask for God's forgiveness. One of the hardest thing for a child to do is to admit they were wrong. But when they see us do it, it tells them it's OK. We're also teaching them that our God is a forgiving God and He's ready to forgive if we ask. A godly parent is a child's best guide to God. Be blessed.
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