Titus 2:1-15
Proverbs 31:25-26
Psalm 34:11-14

“More is caught than taught.
You can teach your kids what you know, but you reproduce what you are.”
John Maxwell

The truth in this quote. . .
How does it impact you? 
What comes to mind when you read it? 
Does a sense of responsibility rise up within you?
Do its words cause stress or bring hope? 

Personally, conviction is my immediate reaction. 
Good conviction, the kind that spurs me on to seek the Lord. 

I have both a teaching degree and a leadership degree, yet parenting has taught me that no amount of training fully prepares someone to raise a child. 

Why? 

Because as a parent, I am entrusted with a formative little mind and heart.
The Lord has given me the role to teach my child what it looks like to walk with the Lord. 

My awareness of this reality grows each day.
My daughter is approaching her second birthday, and she seemingly catches everything I model whether positive or negative. 

I drop something and express my frustration. A little voice echoes my words, and I am eternally grateful cuss words are not my knee-jerk reaction. 

I open a book to read, and she grabs a book from her collection to join me.

My daily interactions with my daughter are teaching her how to grow up,
even if that teaching is more caught than formally taught. 

This truth isn’t limited to parent and child, but every one of us.

Every day, each of us live out the role of Teacher, whether for good or evil.
I teach those I interact with.
I teach all who observe me.
So do you. 

I reflect on my previous week and ponder what my daughter, and others perhaps unbeknownst to me, are learning from me as Teacher. 

Am I patient and kind?
Or did they learn the art of growing frustrated easily? 

Am I humble and consistently taking responsibility for my actions?
Or are my observers learning to rationalize their behavior and blame others? 

Have I taught onlookers to do hard things with diligent determination as I submit to the Lord? Or have my patterns provided a lesson in wearied resignation in the face of challenges?

Am I relying on the Lord?
Am I instructing how to engage consistently in His Word and talking to Him throughout the day? Or does my lifestyle prove I trust myself alone? 

I cringe as I answer these questions. 

With a fresh awareness of my flaws, I humble my heart posture to bow before the Lord. 

“Lord, I feel like I am failing miserably in teaching Your love and truth through my life. I know You are faithful and good. I know Your ways are so much better than my ways. Would You please empower me to be the mom, wife, friend, and person You created me to be? Help me to live as You called me. For Your glory, Lord.” 

I sense the peace of the Lord wash over me, and acknowledge once again the significance of placing myself into the loving hands of the Father. Surrendering to Him has never failed me yet, even if, in the moment, it feels beyond my abilities. 

“Lord, teach me today. Help me to ‘catch’ more of You in order to live more fully as Yours. Help my life be an invitation to my daughter, friends, spouse, and all who quietly watch, to know You personally.”

Bible in hand, I open the pages, listen for His voice, and the Word comes to life. 

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened [my daughter], and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Mankind, he has told each of you what is good 
and what it is the Lord requires of you: 
to act justly, 
to love faithfulness, 
and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

“In the same way, older women are to [. . .] teach what is good so that they may encourage the young women [. . .] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:3-4, 11-13) 

After reading #HisWordsBeforeMine, I journaled what I sensed Him saying to my heart: “My daughter, I see your heart, your desire to live for Me, your daily failings. Continue to draw close to Me and repent of your attempts to live for Me apart from Me. Learn from Me. Abide in My Word, My Presence, and allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with truth. His fruit will be the sweetest gift you can give to your family, to those around you, and to yourself.  Learn from Me. I will take care of the teaching from there.” 

For Your glory, Lord. For Your glory.