Saving the Ones We Love the Most

I couldn’t help but notice the child’s embarrassment when his parents were loudly arguing in the middle of the store. My heart went out to him. And, to my shagrin, I remember my own children watching their dad and I have some pretty vocal disagreements. We called them “discussions”, but still their little eyes and ears knew “something’s not right”.

We all have inbred instincts to save the ones we love the most. We are passionate about making sure our babies don’t touch a hot stove and they look both ways before crossing a street. We are adamant that they wear their coats in the cold winter days and keeping sunscreen on them in the blistering heat of summer. We would go into any burning building to save their lives from a devastating fire, or into the water to save them from drowning. But what kind of true grit do we possess for our children and grandchildren that will save them from the enemy of their souls?

I hear parents express immense concern about the negative influences their children may encounter in school, on social media, the entertainment world of screen and music, and particularly the divisive, hateful rancor of politicians. Parents wonder how their children will grow up with purpose, dignity, integrity, respect, and self-esteem when THAT and THOSE are their influencers.

But really, WHO are their most significant influencers? The fact is there is no one or no-thing that should ever supersede a parent’s responsibility and their own leading-by-example. Let me speak boldly here. Our children will learn to love or hate, be respectful or disrespectful, wise, or foolish, not by the character of their friends’ families, or those pseudo families they watch on TV or social media, but by the family in their house. Our sons and daughters will be far more influenced by their parents, teachers, coaches, 4-H, FFA, scouts or church group leaders.

I don’t feel my character was molded by those in public office or in the entertainment world, but I did learn respect, hard work, generosity, perseverance, faith and resilience from my Mom and Dad. My Sunday School teachers, Vacation Bible School leaders and Christian Camp counselors modeled how to relate to the God of the Bible in my everyday life.
Should those in the public spotlight conduct themselves in an honorable way with utmost integrity? Absolutely.

However, it is not the responsibility of the President, Dr. Phil, Miss America, the NFL, Franklin Graham, the pastor or priest or the neighbor next door, to set the example of moral conduct. It is not the government’s responsibility to ensure children have a good example. It is our responsibility, as Christians, to ensure that we lead our families in what is right, good, honorable, and true.

My beloved son (actually, in-law, but I call him my son) was raised by a single mom. He was hanging out with his high school peers who were making some bad choices. His football coach saw him hanging out with them, and did something about it. That one good, God-fearing, respectful football coach did far more to shape Larry’s heart and mind than any professional athlete.

If we want to make a difference, let’s stop worrying about the moral example of others and let us take an active role in our classrooms, churches, youth groups and programs, sports teams, and their other extracurricular activities. Being cheerleaders, advisers, and overseers of God’s gifts (our children and grandchildren) is our calling and mission. Those children are our gifts from God and what we do to instill a love for God, their fellow man and country is our gift back to God.