I walked outside today at the request of my 2 year old son. He asked for a toy that was on the back patio and I obliged him. Out I went into the Texas summer heat intent on retrieving the monster truck that my son longed for. Sure I’d receive a smile and a “thank you Mommy.”
Instead I hear a little voice coming from the house. It says, “Wait! Mommy, you need shoes!”
It’s a rule we have for the boys and one I often times don’t follow. If you go outside you need to wear shoes. And I want to say it. That ridiculous saying. “Do what I say, not what I do.”
But that philosophy just doesn’t work for me. I teach by example. Because regardless of whether I want them to, they are always watching and learning from what I do. Sometimes I teach what is right. Sometimes I don’t. But, I try my hardest, often times more for them than for me, to be who I want them to be, and to do what I want them to do.
So instead I answer. “Oh, you’re right! I need shoes.” I kiss his sweet head, and hand him his truck. And I think about how different things would have been if Jesus had taken the “do what I say, not what I do” attitude. And I’m grateful he taught by example instead.
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
I love that Jesus always demonstrated first and then said do as I do - like washing the feet of the disciples. What a great example to follow.
ReplyDeleteYou are one wise mama! They notice everything, and they remember what we do.
ReplyDeleteYou have 3 boys? I have 4 sons. Come see me sometime!
I checked out Mamas Write. Wish I were in the DFW area.
Agreeing with Laura...you are a wise mama:)
ReplyDeleteThey are always watching, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteA wonderful story to illustrate a simple (but sometimes hard to follow) point!
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