The Courage to Lead by Example

As a mother, I naturally want the very best for my children. My hopes and prayers for them are that they will love and serve the Lord, find a true life partner that shares their beliefs and that they will find a vocation that brings them joy. I pray that they will bring something positive to the lives of others, that in some way when they leave this Earth someone’s life will be better for having known them.

That being said, it is up to me to teach them and model for them a life worth living. Am I going to get it right 100% of the time? NO. Are they going to absorb every lesson I share with them? NO. Will they stay on course for the rest of their lives? NO. We are ALL human and we make mistakes. We CHOOSE to do what we know is NOT right. That is Free Will. What worries me is that more and more I see people justifying bad choices, unhealthy habits, the destruction of the church and the family unit.

I see parents acting like college kids at Frat parties and publicizing it as if they are proud of their behavior, family members condoning poor choices instead of speaking up and being a voice of reason and support. Brick-by-brick the foundation on which we build our lives is being compromised. 

Our children deserve the tools to resist the dangers and demons in our world and it is up to us as parents and family members to provide these tools for them. It isn’t just about choosing to say no or going to church on Sunday. This is a LIFELONG journey. A choice we make daily. It is about the places we go, the people we associate with, the television shows we watch, the jokes we tell, the lifestyle we choose. 

If we take a wrong turn, we have to model for them how to ask for forgiveness and make right our wrongs. We have to be forgiving ourselves and gracious and kind to others. If we are continually hurt by the actions or words of another and we have not been able to help that person see their ways are hurting us, then it is okay to walk away. Our children need to know that it is okay to walk away from unhealthy relationships and situations. 

We have to be who God created us to be. We have to find out what our passions and gifts are and share them with the world! We have to foster a spirit of giving in our children and teach them to be who God created them to be, not what the in crowd at school would have them believe is who they are. 

Loving our children isn’t always easy, we teach them lessons that they ignore from time-to-time, but always being there to listen, support, encourage, discipline, and model is our duty. We are parents and that is a privilege that many would love to have. Treat the precious gifts God has shared with you as such. Make each day that you have with them powerful and full of loving lessons and positive actions. Love them enough to model positive behaviors and righteousness and if they wander from the path, love them enough to help them find their way back. 

Last week I was flattered when a friend shared a great story someone shared with her about our oldest son and then again by a post on this website that our oldest daughter wrote. I have been blessed by God with some really awesome kids and after hearing how my son behaves when not in our presence and reading Taylor’s post, I realize that they are “getting it”. They may not always love the lessons I teach them or the restrictions I put on them, but in the end they are choosing the right course. 

Indeed, I have singled him out that he may direct his sons and his posterity to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord may carry into effect for Abraham the promises he made about him. Genesis 18:19

Have the courage to parent your children and let that task begin with your own life choices. They won’t always listen to what we say because our actions speak so loudly. Let our actions exemplify our righteousness. 

Blessings!

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Articles by Traci Runge

Traci Runge

Traci was born and raised in San Diego and has called Kearney, Nebraska home for the past 18 years. She is married to Darby Runge and together they have 6 children. They own and operate Pro-Tint, a window tinting business. Along with being a full-time mom, Traci is also a Manager and Certified Trainer with SendOutCards, she works with businesses and individuals to build relationships and grow their income through Relationship Marketing. Traci works hard to balance her roles of mother, wife and business owner. She strives to help make the world a better place through kindness and love and leading by example. Traci is committed to her family, church and community and can often be found volunteering in some capacity. www.sendoutcards.com/tracirunge