A couple years ago, I began sending out a scripture with a short devotion via text each morning of the week to my fellow Sunday school class. At the time, we were studying the scripture about meditating on God's Word in Psalm 1:2 and I decided I would send them a text to meditate on during the workday. Once I accepted the call that God had placed on my life to work with the youth in our church, I added them to my text list and by word of mouth, my text list grew. So each morning, after my quiet time with God, I share with them what God has spoke to me about that day.
It's common for my kids to find me sitting in the recliner or on the couch with my Bible in my lap and my phone in my hand typing the scripture out in the mornings. They no longer ask, "Mom, what are you doing?", they just know. Just this week, I went to Hanna's room to gather her dirty laundry from her hamper and found her sitting on her bed with her Bible open and her iPod touch in her hand. It took me by surprise but also sent my soul soaring. I asked, "What are you doing?" to which she replied, "reading my Bible and sending out a devotion to my friends in my contact list." Wow, I thought! She said she had even texted her big sissy in Kentucky and asked if she could send her a devotion text. Monkey see, monkey do I guess!
After I left her room, I thought of 1 Corinthians 11:1: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. Our children follow our examples, whether good or bad. If we use bad language, they use bad language. If we are kind to others, they tend to be kind to others. If we are impatient, they become impatient. If we dress provocatively, they dress provocatively.
I once read a story about a lady that had a dog that was pregnant. One day, the lady was out mowing her grass on a riding lawn mower and the dog was out in the yard with her. Not paying close attention, the lady accidentally ran over the back of her dog injuring its back legs. She immediately stopped and took the dog to the veterinarian hoping the dog would be OK. Sure enough, after an examination, the vet told the lady her dog and her unborn puppies were fine and the dog would learn to "get around" her with injured back legs. A couple weeks passed and she gave birth to a litter of healthy puppies. Several weeks later, the lady was out on her front porch and noticed her dog out in the yard with her puppies. What she observed blew her mind. The momma dog had learned to "get around" by taking a step with her front legs and then flipping her backside in order to proceed forward. She didn't seemed to be bothered with her handicap. But to her amazement, every puppy that followed would also take a step with their front legs and then flip their backside even though they had four healthy legs. Monkey see, monkey do!
So as I sit here and think of my actions, words and demeanor in my everyday life, I ask myself this question: Is this something I would want my children to mimic? Do I scream at them so they are going to scream at their children? Am I part of an abusive relationship they are witness to and are they going to accept the same thing in their life once they are married? Have I gossiped about someone so they think it is OK to gossip about others? Do they observe the way I pay attention in church so they will one day pay attention in church? Am I negative about situations so they are going to look for the bad in situations as well? Am I quick to judge others so they will be judgemental as well? Is the life I am living something I would like to see my children follow in my footsteps?
I don't think we really pay enough attention to ourselves sometimes when it comes to TRYING to life a righteous life, a life that is in right standing with God. Our kids adopt our behavior! So I leave you with this question: Is your behavior something you would be proud for them to adopt?
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