They Watch — We Shape
You TEACH them or someone else will do it for you. Teach and reteach... as often as needed. WHY? If someone else does it, that doesn't live and breath and serve the same convictions and values that you embrace, they will teach and lead them, but it won't be for you.
Granted, what others may invest and teach them may be on the same playing field or at least in the same ballpark, as you, but the majority of the time it will be subtle deviations here and there, but just foreign enough, that over time, what they plant in them might as well be from another planet. And you'll look at your own child and wonder, where in the world did they ever came up with that kind of thinking. It didn't happen accidentally... it happens irresponsibly. Kids are sponges... they soak up whatever they see, here, read, imagine and do. And if all the experience is corruption that's what the repeat and reproduce.
We have to face the reality that we are shapers. We are shaping those we've been given to steward and steer in the right direction as they learn how to navigate life and its stressors. And we MUST come to grips with this inescapable reality. How we personally deal with the everyday problems of living, in a fallen world, unavoidably affects and SHAPES those dearest to us. The ones we love, lead and lift up in life are watching us and learning from us on how they will deal with their own individual problems, today and all the tomorrows to come. Our consistent approaches to problems, people and personal pride are notched in every arrow we've been given to love and shape. God's word and wisdom are the tools that will help you examine how you deal with problems |
