As I grow older and watch how my children act and how they work with their children, my grandchildren, I am amazed at what they have learned from my wife and me. I can honestly say that our children emulate us when we were the age they are now.
What fascinates me most is that these are characteristics that are learned and not taught. Yes, we did try and teach the basics of honesty, trustworthiness, loyalty, manners, good morals, and a good attitude among other traits. Many things they learned on their own by watching us through our actions, speech, and deeds.
I read something the other day that speaks to what I am talking about. It is a great read, so I am going to re-print it with hopes the author is okay with it. It is called, “When you thought I wasn’t looking.”
Also, keep in mind that most of the attributes belong to my goodhearted, beautiful, and lovely wife because she was the one our children were around the most during their adolescent years. As I was at work most of the time, she kept our household in good working order and took great care of our children. She still does this now when our grandchildren come to visit.
When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking
BY MARY RITA SCHILKE SILL (C)1980 When you thought I wasn’t looking, you hung my first painting on the refrigerator.
And I wanted to paint another.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you fed a stray cat.
And I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you baked a birthday cake just for me.
And I knew that little things were special things.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you said a prayer, And I believed there was a God that I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you kissed me goodnight, and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes.
And I learned that sometimes things hurt, but that it’s all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you smiled, and it made me want to look that pretty too.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you cared, and I wanted to be everything I could be.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked, and I wanted to say thanks.
For all the things you did when you thought I wasn’t looking
We are told in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” This is why our actions and speech are so important. It does not matter in what situation we are in we are being watched by our children and others around us. What we say and how we act will influence more people than we ever know.
Knowing Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior will be evident in our personality, the way we live, in our talk with others, and our demeanor. Our children see the type of person we are, and they will grasp on to it. Teaching them about Jesus should be first and foremost in whatever we do! There is a quote that says; “If we don’t teach our children to follow Christ, then the world will teach them not to.”
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus for the children you have given to us. I pray that we have been the influence on them that would please you. Amen.
