What Do We Honor?

Some months ago, I heard a speaker tell parents that, in regards to your children, "you get what you honor."  In other words, our children will notice those people, activities, and ideals that we deem important and act accordingly.  Whether it's actually verbalized or just implied by how we use our time, our children pick up on what we value.

In considering what I honor in front of our children, I thought of these five questions that I could ask myself.

1.  What type of people do I encourage our children to emulate?  Ultimately, we are to pattern our lives after Christ, but are there Godly people we know whom our children can witness demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit?  Our children are blessed to have wonderful spiritual examples in their grandparents, aunts and uncles, fellow church members, etc., and I can encourage our children to learn from them.

2.  Do I pay attention when our children talk about spiritual things?  I hope to create an atmosphere that encourages our daughters to feel comfortable discussing any topic, especially questions about our faith and beliefs.  When these conversations arise, they need my full attention.

3.  How do I use my time? If I want them to think it's important to attend church, than I need to make the extra effort required to be in the services.  If serving others is a trait I want them to have, they need to see me helping people.  I should spend the most time accomplishing things that have eternal value.

4.  Do I look for the good things my children do and point those out?  Most of us naturally react well to praise and want to repeat those actions that attract positive attention.

5.  Am I giving importance in the home to those character traits that I desire our children to display? I should be teaching and training those qualities until they become part of who our children are.  The goal is always to reach the heart, not just produce a person who performs outwardly.

Only by the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God can we bring our homes into focus spiritually.  I hope I will honor the right things in my life and thereby see our children drawn into a closer relationship with God.