The Gift of Example

 

So many are seeking something to put under the tree for the kids this time of year.  Times are tight. Many are enslaved by the world’s hype and bury themselves in debt by giving beyond their means to impress someone who won’t be impressed.

The smartphone or watch glitters in the children's eyes for a week, maybe longer, and then it’s on to something else. So many people get caught up in the gratification of themselves and others.  We generate a frenzy around things we suddenly can’t live without. Wow! Problem solved with a single click.

We hurt when we can’t give our kids more. We feel that we fell short. Actually, the only place you fell was into opportunity.  Opportunity for what?

Give the gift of example. That sounds a little cliché but think about being an example of joy every morning. The world might be angry and bitter, but joy abides in you.

Think about being an example of peace. Controversy rules in the world, but you are at peace. You have peace that only God can give, and you share it.

Think about being an example of a praying person. Lead your children to and in prayer.

Lead them to worship services and classes. Teach them reverence.

Lead them to help a neighbor in some way.  Teach them compassion.

Lead them to do their homework. Show interest in the subject even if you know little about it. Model learning.

Lead them to a good vocabulary. So many problems with vulgarity come from having a poor lexicon—a group of words at our ready disposal. Model expression with a good vocabulary.

Teach them to think, not just to repeat the common gossip, but to analyze and understand something before reaching conclusions or defining an opinion. Lead them by your example of sound thinking.

Lead them to courtesy. Teach them to open a door for another person, greet someone with polite words, or help someone be seated or stand.

You may not have the cash to buy the latest video game or smartphone, but you are rich with opportunities to be a great example to your children and to others.

Be the example! Give your children the gift of example. It is priceless.

Merry Christmas.