Don’t Do as I Do, Do as I Say

That’s what I grew up hearing. That’s not a common phrase used with our children now, but maybe it’s the message we still send.

A dad and pre-teen daughter were coming out of the grocery store when they were approached by a man campaigning for something in the parking lot.

The solicitor asked the dad if he was a registered voter in the state. Wanting to avoid the spiel, the dad said, “No I am not a resident here, and moved on.”

The daughter asked her dad why he said that. He told her he did not have the time to stop and talk with the man.

Later the dad related that he wondered if that did not send a wrong message to her.

What do you think?

They taught their children about right moral character. “Lying is not good.” Then she witnessed firsthand something different. She saw, “Lying is justified, based on the circumstances and convenience.”

We know what we do matters. I want to remind you that it matters more than we sometimes think.

We are models

Many girls grow up dreaming about being a model. They don’t realize that when they become a parent, a model is exactly what they become. As parents, everyday we are on the runway, showing our children how to wear their life. When times are beautiful… when times are hard… when it is convenient and when it’s not…. who we are matters!

What a self-improvement program parenting can be. Truly it matters who we are, in public and at home “behind closed doors”. Jesus said when a student is taught he will be like his teacher.

So much of what our children learn is caught, not taught.

Children are always watching. Hmmm. So are others. Be the best you can be today.

Perfect? No Way! Life is so real. Just keep working to make right choices. And when you don’t, ‘fess up! THAT is modeling in the very best sense.

There is an often-used quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi that goes like this: “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”

Keep Walking with the King,