follow me

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

- 1 Corinthians 11:1

Adults often tell children “do as I say, not as I do”.

What are we teaching our kids, if we live by this phrase?

What we really need to do is live by example, there is a poem by Dorothy Law Nolte published in 1972, and even though it was first published nearly 50 years ago, it still holds true:

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

We can add to this today:

If children live with hatred, they learn intolerance.

I don’t think that Jesus taught hatred, criticism, hostility, fear, pity, ridicule, jealousy or shame.                     

Live in a way that looks like Jesus!