Day 6: Modeling

-
Jesus was the ultimate role model.

He was so much more than that, yes, but I don't think we can miss that part of him.

His actions reflected his values, his words, his truth.

I was talking to a friend last week about the fact that lately, mine don't.

Not in big ways - but in small, subtle ways. In parenting especially.

I'm impatient, I'm controlling, I'm quick to get angry and want my way.

Even though I value things like patience, flexibility, kindness and selflessness.

There's a major disconnect.

On my worst days, I'm a bad example.

I want that to stop.

I don't want to walk around saying, "do as I say, not as I act" to my three year old.

So I've asked my friend to hold me accountable. And I'm going to start thinking before I act. Is this modeling the type of behavior I want imitated? I realize that sounds so simplistic, and so basic. But it's so important. I'm so thankful Jesus modeled for us how to live, and I want to point toward him by the way I am each day - not by the way I'm not!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Honestly, do I care more about her bangs than her heart?

-
When my daughter's medical issues started flaring up and she was in a ton of pain, she cut bangs for herself, asked to donate the hair (she has the best heart even in her worst moments!) and then promptly was horrified at what she had done. (It may have been the worst haircut ever. Think reverse Mohawk.) I have been so worried about her hair.  I'm so embarrassed to tell you that. It feels so vain, but it looks terrible, and at my worst moments I struggle with how it reflects on me, and if it looks like I can't control my kids. Wait a minute?!? "How it reflects on me"? Why in the world is that my focus here? Something is really wrong with her (the physical pain) and the way she looks kind of reflects that right now (she's not herself - I believe subconsciously she didn't want to look like herself because she doesn't feel like herself). And I'm worried about how it reflects on me? That has been a not so welcome glimpse into my own s...
Read more

Day 8: Peace (Leading our kids toward Jesus by modeling peacemaking)

-
Jesus surprised so many by showing up not with a political overthrow using strength and war, but instead with gentleness, humility and peace. They were expecting him to conquer through force - after all, he had the power of God - but instead, he led by peace. His willingness to be a servant leader and not engage in power struggles led him to the ultimate victory, and one that will last forever and not just be a short term "umph" that wins the battle. This is challenging for me because I have a lot of "umph." A lot of my life has been spent finding the balance between my strong passion/"umph" with being a person of peace. Because while I so value passion and energy, I also so value peace and calm and quiet inner strength. I wonder if my daughter would describe me as a peaceful or a passionate person... I'd hope both, but it would be interesting to ask her. I'm learning both parts of me can exist simultaneously. One of the earliest ways I lea...
Read more

The Worst Tantrum in Our House this Week was Mine :(

-
"I've been walking around all morning for the kids. It is SO the straw that broke the camels back that I just had to walk upstairs for you!" I told him in my loudest voice. "Oh dear..." I recounted to a friend later as I shared the story, "am I really that tired?" I couldn't believe that I had exploded at my husband over the fact that I walked up the stairs to wake him up so that I could get out the door to teach a parenting class. What a great parent indeed...modeling yelling and impatience to my kids just because I was overtired and my husband hadn't gotten downstairs by the time I needed to leave. How embarrassing that I missed the mark in such a giant way. Just one more time that I was exceedingly thankful for grace from both God and my husband- though that doesn't give me an excuse to keep acting that way. What do we do when we are truly that tired though? It's easy for me to look back and laugh at myself and recognize that I ce...
Read more