Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it’s the only thing.
–Albert Schweitzer
One late afternoon, I arrived home from the grocery store. I loaded up my arms to carry everything in with as few trips as possible.
It’s odd, but this has always been my way. Instead of making ten comfortable trips, I make five totally weighted-down trips. My daughter and my mom do the same thing.
For several years, each time I carry my groceries this way, I think of Brailee, my sweet little granddaughter.
Even today, as I went up the steps, arms loaded down, I was taken back to a moment from a few years ago. As my thoughts drifted back, I saw the image of a little five-year-old Brailee.
She, her mom, and I had gone grocery shopping. I was carrying in my groceries before heading to her house.
I had just deposited a load of groceries in my kitchen and was headed back to the garage for another load. I glanced up before heading down the steps. Up the stairs came little Brailee, arms loaded down. She had three bags in each arm, and I don’t know how she was carrying them.
“Honey!”
“What?!” she asked, “This is the way you and Mom do it.”
Today, as this image returned to my mind, the Lord quietly and gently spoke to me.
He said, “Did you know that if your kids see you carrying baggage, they will carry baggage, too?”
Ouch!
As I pondered the Lord’s words and this truth, He continued to reveal more to me. I was reminded that kids learn much more by example than by words.
Talk is cheap; our walk should follow our talk in all things. Kids may hear us say one thing, but they will mimic what they see us do. Our action or our example speaks louder than our words.
I could have easily told Brailee to carry one bag at a time. However, she saw me and her mom carrying armloads of grocery bags for years, so she imitated that.
If your children see you carrying baggage, they will carry baggage also. However, if your children see you taking your burdens to God, then they will learn a better way.
If your children see you yelling and screaming at each other, they will mirror this. On the other hand, if they see you sitting down, praying together, and working things out in peace, they will grow up thinking that is how it should be done.
This truth doesn’t only apply to children.
Pastors, your flock will handle things much like they see their leadership handle them.
Friends, if you’re facing a trial or challenge and panic and start speaking negatively, those around you will do the same. However, if you stand firm, stay in peace, and speak only what the word of God says, they will follow your example.
1 Corinthians 11:1 says, Imitate me as I imitate Christ.
How much more peaceful and powerful would this world be if we all imitated Christ? Then those around us would imitate us, as we imitate Christ? What a powerful world that would become!
Jesus Himself said, “I only do what I see my Father do.”
Our actions are important. The example we portray is vital. Choose daily to be an excellent example to those around you. Remember, your children, your family and your friends are watching what you do much more than what you say.
We owe it to those around us to be a godly example to follow. Let’s not teach those we love to carry baggage. Let’s not display anger or bitterness or unforgiveness. Instead, let’s teach others to lay their burdens at Jesus’ feet. Let’s emulate love, forgiveness, and mercy. Let’s choose always to see the best in others…let’s be an example worthy of following. Follow me…only as I follow HIM.
