I recently got to enjoy some time in Indiana with my daughter and parents as we attended a Global Gathering for the Church of God.  During one of the beautiful summer evenings there, my daughter was enjoying carefully catching and releasing fireflies.  I just enjoyed watching her soak up every minute of dusk that night, totally intrigued by these little amazing flashing bugs.

The next day as we walked along the paths on the college campus of Anderson University, she began to look down at every step I was taking.  Suddenly, she blurted out, “Mom! Watch where you’re stepping! You are stepping on the ants in front of you and killing them!” After we laughed, I said, “I can’t help it!  I can’t see every little ant along my path! I don’t mean to step on them, I’m just walking forward!”

Just then, I got silly and started looking down VERY intently at every step I was taking, making sure not to step on any ants that were scurrying along the path in front of me.  And when I did see one, I would take this HUGE, giant, exaggerated step over the ant so as not to squash it.  We both laughed at the sillyness of it all.

In that instance I thought; “You, know? Our kids are watching our steps.”  Whether we realize it or not, our kids are taking note of our lives … the things we do; the things we say; the way we treat others; the things we value and give all our time to; the way we “present” ourselves to others, but the way we really are … everything!

Our kids watch us so carefully, that they can tell A LOT about how we feel just by looking at our facial expressions.  Many times, a parental “look” is all it takes for them to know what our expectations are.  No words needed.

Here’s the deal: before you let this truth worry you as a parent, remember that you hold tons of influence in the lives of your children. And that can be a really good thing!  Your ability to influence them can be for their benefit AND for yours as well.

Here’s what I mean: Galatians 5 talks about “Walking in the Spirit” (NKJV).  We can start by modeling the fruits of a life that is guided by God’s Spirit.  Wait!  Let’s back up!  Actually, we can start by looking at the things we are told NOT to do in Galatians 5:19-21.  You can read it for yourself. But I’ll just throw out the list real quick for the sake of convenience.  We are told to steer clear from . . . .

• Sexual immorality
• impurity
• lustful pleasures
• idolatry
• sorcery
• hostility
• quarreling
• jealousy
• outbursts of anger
• selfish ambition
• dissension
• division
• envy
• drunkenness
• wild parties
• and other sins such as these listed

This is truly a useful check-list for us. Do our kids see any of these things in our lives? If they do, we can ask God to help us have victory over these areas.  If need be, we can look over this list and take one at a time, allowing God to help us have success in the areas we are weakest in. This is a great place to start.

Our families are worth every effort we make to put our very best forward!  We are never without help and/or hope.

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us: But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives . . .

• love
• joy
• peace
• patience
• kindness
• goodness
• faithfulness
• gentleness
• self-control

Yet, another useful check-list. Do our kids see these characteristics in us fairly regularly and consistently? Again, God longs to strengthen us in these areas.  If we have to focus and work on one area at a time, so be it.  We are never without help and/or hope.

Through God’s Spirit, we have the ability to walk in a healthy way. One that our kids can glean from and begin to walk out themselves. This is not just good for them. It’s good for us, too. May you walk forward in the power of His Spirit. And may you and your children enjoy every blessing/reward that comes from finding our lives in Christ.

Psalms 37:23  “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (NLT)