someone's watchin' u

17 July 2018

HOPE FOR TODAY 
John 13:15 NIV
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

“Dad came home every day, popped open a beer, and turned on the television,” said the weary engineer. “I hated him for it, but I find myself doing the same thing with my kids – strange how that happens, isn’t it?”

He went on with a confession, of sorts, at 33,000 ft. He rambled on a bit, and my mind drifted to my own childhood. What a parent values will make its mark on a child – for good or bad.

I grew up in the company of a thousand books. Television was an amusement. Books were treasured. My father cherished his preaching library. My mother filled the house with biographies and novels. My earliest book memories center on the bizarre creations of Dr. Seuss. Golden Books and pirates’ tales accompanied the Bible stories from the big blue ten-volume series.

A love of reading is a part of the continuing legacy of my mom and dad. I married a book lover, and we cherish shelving over crystal. My kids have caught the bug, too. My youngest prefers a library to a game arcade.

What will your children say that you valued thirty years from yesterday? Would you want them to pass it on? What you model – they will follow. Watch out Daddy – the kids are watching you.


MY THOUGHTS
WATCH OUT PARENTS: the kids r watching.

what i treasure will be copied thru thru the generations living with u. my kids mimicked me and my husband. and now their children r mimicking them. i see the pattern repeated. i see the struggle of the parents to change. i see children wanting to be just like mommy and daddy.
i see this thru eyes that have been there, done that, got the proof. i see my youngest daughter fighting to change and become more like Jesus. i see her husband struggle to change old habits in his own strength. both striving to be better parents, set a better example. progress is evident in the children in some areas; others r still a work in progress. i look back at what i cannot change and see my own struggle fall way short causing me to stop trying. i see the struggle in my children that ensued and is still there. not able to change the past, i press on with living the change that has occurred within me and still being refined to help. the GRACE of God now more a part of me than before, i now show patience and more love than before.
Rodney Atkins sings a song about how a child is watching his father. that song is so true! our children r watching us even as adults. my youngest daughter shared with me that my prayers r living out right in front of me. i am seeing a miracle in her as she surrenders to God so she can be a much better example of God's love. what an honor and a privilege to seeing answers to being forgiven, praying, and giving everything to God as i have been doing over the past year.

CHILDREN NEVER STOP WATCHING!!