A PARENT'S TEACHING

Have you noticed how children tend to pick up on the negative traits in our character before they recognize the good? Boy, I have! I think I first began noticing this when my children were toddlers. I thought they would outgrow their demanding little ways, but – oh, well – they only got worse! Also, as if that's not bad enough, I'm beginning to recognize some of my mother's traits in me now that I'm getting older – could this be part of what some people call the "circle of life?"

That dreadful old saying is true – "actions speak louder than words." Our children pay more attention to our behavior and mimic it than they ever will to the words we speak to them! Yes, they mimic our words as well, but wouldn't it be great if the words they mimicked would be our words of praise?

Unfortunately, the world has taught us that the old saying, "don't do what I do – do what I say do" is wrong. Well, go back and look at today's scripture again. It is God's purpose for our children to learn what we teach them; which means they will learn from our mistakes as well.

I know a few people who did learn from their parent's mistakes, as well as what their parents taught them. I have noticed that God has indeed clothed them with honor. They are some of the most successful people I know.

Even though some of you are in your thirties and higher (way higher), maybe it's time we reflected on what our parents tried to teach us and not on what we observed of them.

More and more I realize that my mother truly wanted the best for me, but had little to work with; both from her side and my side. She only had an eighth grade education and was living with skeletons in her closet, she had no idea how to deal with her abusive past (those things weren't talked about back then.) Of course, I wasn't anything close to being as perfect a child as I thought I was; close maybe, but not like I thought I was, I think I can remember slamming a few doors and pouting in front of company a couple of times.

Recently I watched the movie, Eat, Pray, Love, against Jessica's advice, but I'm really glad I did; no I don't agree with her religious choice in the movie, but I did agree with the idea behind what she did. She left everything behind in order to do some soul-searching – to empty herself and fill herself with whatever it was God (or her idea of Him) wanted for her.

Maybe that's why I'm where I am now. Maybe that's why I've had to reach the very bottom – again – so I could again know what is really important and get my memories straight and in order – respect the people I should have respected a long time ago and repent. I'm sure there is more to come. Please bear with me.