John 5:19
“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
Many children love to play the game, follow the leader, where one child is proclaimed the leader, and the rest follows everything they do. Many parents don’t realize that children often learn how to live life by following their parent’s footsteps. Much like the follow the leader game, whether nor not children realize it, they follow what their parents do; however, following the leader in parenting is not a game. Your children are copying your habits, whether good or bad.
I remember as a boy, I would often walk in my dad’s footsteps whenever it snowed. Since becoming a parent myself, I have watched my daughter copy my wife or me in many things that we do. Whether it is consciously or subconsciously that she does this, my wife and I carry a great responsibility to be sure that we give her the right example to follow.
Jesus enforced this truth in the verse above. He says, “…The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do…” Jesus said that He copied what He saw the Father do in Heaven. Whatever example the Father gave Him in Heaven is what He did when He came to Earth. Following the Leader wasn’t a game, it was an eternity. If the Father had given Jesus a bad example, nobody would have the opportunity to get saved. There are several thoughts that parents should remember concerning this truth.
Parents, your children are watching you. You may think that your children don’t see what you are doing, but they do. Many of your bad habits were acquired as a young child when you copied what you saw your parents do. They thought that you were not watching, but you were. Just like your parents didn’t know how closely you watched them, your children are watching and learning from you, and what you teach them they will perform in life when they leave home. You had better be careful what example you are giving them to follow.
Moreover, what your children are learning from you will affect others. You never know what your children will become once they leave home, but one thing you must realize is that they will influence people you don’t even know. You are literally influencing a future generation beyond your children. The gravity of this truth should cause you to stop and ponder what you need to change. This truth should cause you to ask yourself what you are doing that could influence future generations for wrong.
Furthermore, parenting your children is not a game, it is life. You may think it is humorous for your children to mimic your wrong actions in front of you, but they are only showing you what they will become. The only difference between you and your children is that your children will take what you do to another level. Would you want your children to take your bad habits and sins to another level?
My friend, your children are living, follow the leader. Every day you live you should ask the Holy Spirit to help you live in such a manner that your children will only learn good habits from your life. Parenting is not a game; it is life. Change whatever you need to change so they have good habits to copy.