This morning, I received an e-mail from my sister, Wendi, about her 8 year old son Justin. The note reads, “Justin's school is having a run/walk today. They get prizes for the number of laps they can do in 30 minutes. This morning Justin was doing his stretch exercises like you taught him. He plans to run the whole time like his Uncle Tom. We'll see what he actually does.”
This note just reminds me of how important it is for us adults to be mindful of our words and actions around the little ones. Justin and I only ran together twice while they visited at Christmas. It amazes me what he took away from it. Justin is only 8 years old but because I took the time to show him something that interested him, he has applied to his life.
I tell the men of the Bible Study I lead on Sunday mornings, that men learn to be men by watching either their fathers or the men in our lives at a young age. In general, children are watching us; how we react to issues, discussions, and/or conflict. We should be mindful of our actions and words everywhere we go but especially around children. They are little sponges that absorb every little word. When little and learning, children want to be just like daddy and/or mammy. They will mimic everything we do. It’s amazing.
Last month, a friend of Teresa and mine’s father died from cancer. In his memorial, the son said that his father was the same in church as he was in the house. Since he practiced what he preached and walked the walk, the four siblings all doing something in ministry. We never know what lessons we are teaching though our actions. Remember, actions do speak a whole lot louder than words ever will.
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