A while back, I heard a country song about a guy and his little boy going to McDonalds. They were eating in the truck (it had to be a truck—it's a country song) when the little boy spilled his box of Chicken McNuggets. Frustrated, the four-year-old said a bad word.
The father was shocked and said, "Where did you hear that?"
“From you Dad…remember when…”
The father was heartbroken that he'd set a bad example and went home and asked God to forgive him and help him set a better example because he realized his son was always watching.1
And it's true…kids are more likely to follow your example than your instruction. They watch what you do, and they repeat it. That's a lot of responsibility for a godly man.
But it can go the other direction, too. A few months ago, I was editing one of my sister's podcasts, and her guest said that every day her husband got up an hour before he needed to so that he could pray and read the Bible.
Seeing this, her son carried the practice into his life and did the same.
She said that what really amazed her was that when her grandson came to live with them while he was in college, just like dad and granddad, he got up an hour before he had to leave to pray and read the Bible.
He grew up seeing that this is what men of God do, and he followed their example.
So what are you showing the little eyes that are watching you?
Are they learning God's ways or worldly ways?
Do you need to spend some time with God, asking Him to forgive you and help you change?
How can you do better?
Remember, your kids and grandkids are watching. Do you want them to repeat what they see?
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
(1 Corinthians 11:1, ESV)
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