Children See, Children Do

Have you ever head the saying, "She is her mother's daughter" or "Like Father, like son" or how about, "The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree." These are all statements about parents and their children.

I'd like you to watch a short video. Let me apologize in advance for the obscene gestures and the violence. The video DOES make a good point though.

Children See, Children Do - Child Friendly Australia

We are ALL children of parents. Many of us resemble our parents - physically, emotionally, psychologically. Sometimes we admire our parents, sometimes we rebel against them. In many cases though we try to imitate them. As you saw in the video, that imitation is not always a good thing.

My wife and I have a three-year old grandson. I have been known to make a funny noise or two when I'm with my grandson. I make the sounds and then laugh. Soon he is doing the same thing. Kids love to imitate their parents.

If you have kids, do you set a good example for them? Do you set a good example for others? Here are some verses to let you know how God views parent-children relationships:

For children:

"12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." - Exodus 20:12

"6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." - Ephesians 6:1

"8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck." - Proverbs 1:8-9

For parents:

"6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

"21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." - Colossians 3:21

"4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." - Ephesians 6:4

The Bible is filled with good, character building verses for us and our children. For me that verse from proverbs says it all. As parents WE are responsible for raising our children. If we care for them at all we should raise them right. Sadly, too often parents don't care enough about their kids to discipline them. And before we get thinking that disciplining a child is bad or frowned upon, let's hear what God has to say.

"1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid." - Proverbs 12:1, written by King Solomon . . . the man who was given wisdom by God.

Let us always be aware of those around us who may be watching our every move. When people look at you do you reflect the light of Christ back at them? Do you children look at you with love and respect? Something that was taught to them by observing you.

Just Like You - Lecrae