The job of parenting is a wonderful privilege but also an incredible responsibility. It’s amazing to see from birth how traits are passed down genetically that impact how our children look, what they like and dislike, their natural abilities, and how they function.
But beyond their genetic traits lies an even more powerful influencer. And it’s our ability to train, lead, and impact them based on what we do.
Going to church has been a regular part of my life and upbringing, and it is also the case for my wife and, now, our children. I can recall when our children were much younger, they would ‘play church.’ Now this was an elaborate setup. The living room was turned into a highway with a cardboard box as a car. Our son, Micah, was the driver, and his sister, Mikaela, had her dolls, their children, in the back seat.
Upon arrival at church, the children would be dropped off at the nursery. Then the same living room would be transformed into a sanctuary. A church service would take place. Songs would be sung, Micah would preach a message with his bible open, and Mikaela would be his entire audience, shouting “Amen” as deemed appropriate. They would then get the “children” at the end of church and drive home.
This was all cute and funny until I heard Micah, while driving, yelling at an imaginary driver in front of him who was driving too slowly to get out of the way! It was sobering to realize that he picked this up from me.
There is so much more that we teach others, not through what we say, but through what we do. These lessons are powerful and life-changing. It is vital to realize that someone is always watching us. And we are passing on influence whether we admit it or not. It can be positive or negative.
So, let’s embrace this reality and endeavor to influence and inspire others for good by doing right. As we do so, we will lead others with a powerful teaching tool that reinforces and gives credibility to our words – the tool called ‘an example.’