Am I a Role Model or a Rolling Pin as a Parent?

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Part One "Am I a Role Model or a Rolling Pin?"

Your children’s success will most likely resemble what we, as parents, have modeled. The good, the bad and the ugly will be imprinted in their lives through years of living with us. Our behaviors and attitudes, our daily routines, our goals and lack of goals, our dreams and achievements, or our poor accomplishments due to lack of zeal and ambition are things they watch carefully.

What are our children seeing? Do they see hopelessness and despair, discouragement and lack of faith? Or do they see someone that thrives in the heat of the battle, someone who is caring and forgiving, a strong character with good morals and values, and someone who will dare to dream and never quit? 

Do they see a procrastinator, someone with a billion excuses, a person with no dreams, no motivation, no goals and no achievements to brag about? 

Do they see a role model worthy of echoing or a rolling pin just good enough to get by, make some bread and survive?

A role model is prepared to lead by example. A role model is always researching ways to improve because they know eyes are always on them to see what they will do next. A role model is always creating teachable moments from everyday life.

A rolling pin depends on someone to take it and use it in order to create pastries, breads and other goodies. A rolling pin waits on the counter for the baker, chef or "parent" to use it's creativity to create. A rolling pin is unable 

to do for itself or anyone else. Do you see where I'm going here?

What is the legacy we are creating for our children?

God will hold us accountable. This is true. Yet, I don’t think we need to wait to be held accountable in the future. We need, I need, to be held accountable now, today. The world of education now uses the word accountability as part of what they look for in a highly qualified teacher.

I believe, it should also be used when observing the characteristics of a great parent, not perfect, but great. I know there are no perfect teachers or parents. We are always learning and are known to make mistakes. But shouldn't we work daily to conquer those areas in our lives that make us a poor example, a weak role model and a sad hero for our children?

I open the floor to debate. Perhaps I am wrong. I see things always from the perspective as an educator and a mother all wrapped in one. There’s a strong chance I am wrong in some area of my thinking. When it comes to learning, I am a forever learner and lover of learning. That will never change. This is why I am certain that as a parent, I cannot be complacent to remain as I am. I need to excel and grow so that my children will desire to excel and grow. I need to lead the way and show them because if I remember correctly, when I was younger, I didn't know what to do many times. Most likely, they’re at a loss for many things in life, too.

For the Christian parent:

Do our children see us loving God? Do they see evidence of our walk filled with faith and joy? Do they see us praying and know how to pray on their own? Have we instilled in them the desire to read God's Word and pray always. Are they fearless in sharing their faith or are they unsure because we are unsure? Do they know scripture? Do they understand what it means to be a disciple and follower of Jesus? Do they see it in you and me? Has our walk been something to draw them to God or away?

So, what do we do? As a Christian, I lean on God’s guidance. Lord, help me here because you know me better than anyone else. Help me to be the parent, the teacher and the friend my children need me to be. Help me to model the things they need to see, especially your heart. Let them seek the path of wisdom, learning, financial success, and building good relationships with the right persons.

Lord, help us today to be more than 

hugs and love for our children. Let us inspire them to change the world, to be leaders, to be revolutionary in their thinking. Fill us so that we can give to them what You so graciously give to us. Impart vision so that we can impart interpretation. Our children are in Your hands, Heavenly Father. Mold me into the role model my children need to see each day. Let me raise children that have a heart for you above all else, in Jesus name, amen.

NOTHING TO HIDE, SO DANCE IT OFF

JUST DANCE!

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. 

Hebrews 4:13

What can I hide from the Lord? The answer is absolutely nothing. So the fact that today I don’t feel like a super anything is no surprise to him. Have you ever had a day like that? You know there are a billion things to do but you just can’t seem to get started?

Laundry says, “Yoo-hoo!” The dishes call out, “Over here, my dear!” The bathroom smells out at you, “Honey, as soon as you’re ready, like really, any time now.” And life is just pulling at your from all different directions and you just want to yell, “STOP!”

Nothing is hidden from God. I am naked, completely exposed before Him. He sees right down into the spaces the broom cannot get to. He knows when we smile but are really weary. He knows when we are trying so hard, putting in extra hours emotionally, and everyone else around you seems to just be around for the ride, waiting on you.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

Today, if you’re like me, you may not feel like doing much. But the love you have for your family will give you the energy to do what needs to get done. And this I've know, God is my strength. He is your strength, too. He makes our feet like “Beep Beep!” the Road Runner, or like Speedy Gonzalez, “Andale!”, excuse me, like the deer.

 I love the word tread here. According to Webster’s definition of the word tread, I can walk on or over the heights, I can beat or press with my feet on the high places, I can proceed along on the heights, I can subdue or repress on the heights, I can execute by stepping or dancing, I can set foot as where others fear to tread, and I can keep the body nearly upright in the water and the head above water by a treading motion of the feet usually aided by the hands. The high places are the mountains and the loads of things before me and you that seem always incomplete, always need our attention and never get finished. Dance over them!

We're not going to sink in all the "stuff" that sometimes overwhelms us. We're not going to despair or drown! We're going to trample, walk upon and dance upon those things that are in the way. We will accomplish what needs to get done because the truth is, and God knows it. If we don't get up and do it and get others to help out, it won't get done. You just have to get up and do it! We can't ignore reality. Why not have some fun while we take care of business? Put in that homemade burnt CD.

In other words, God has already provided the ability for me to get up and go when those days come and  I really don’t want to get up and face life. He knows when I feel exhausted from just thinking and He reminds me to find the medicine and vitamins I need in His Word. I’m so glad I found Habakkuk 3:19. I will leap to the highest heights in Jesus name today and hope you join me. I offer you my hand at this moment and invite you to hold on because I'm going to run up to the beat and then, I'm dancing into the kitchen. I don't know where you're going, but, dance it out!