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 ensure they wear their coats in the cold winter days and we apply sunscreen in the blistering heat of the 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 negativity that many people display. 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. Your 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 Hollywood, but by the family in their house. May I submit to you that your sons and daughters will be far more influenced by their 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, and generosity from my Dad and perseverance, faith and resilience from my Mom. My Sunday School teachers, Vacation Bible School leaders and Christian Camp counselors modeled to me how to relate to the God of the Bible in my everyday life.
Actually, 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, Oprah, Dr. Phil, Miss America, the NFL, 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 American citizens and Christians, to ensure that we lead our youth in modeling what is right, good, honorable, and true. One good, God-fearing, respectful football coach can do far more to shape the hearts and minds of teenage boys than a 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.
“Friends and fellow Americans, your success as a family -- our success as a nation -- depends not on what happens in Washington D.C., but on what happens inside your house.” I pray these wise words of Barbara Bush will resonate with us. Our nation has always and will always depend on the moral fiber of our families, nothing more, nothing less. God bless, America, and may America bless God!
