A few weeks ago our family was driving into Boise, ID. We were travelling in the left lane of the freeway, a concrete barrier on the left side of us, cars on the right. Suddenly a mother duck and her babies following behind started across the freeway. The car just ahead and to the right barely missed the little ducks. I had to do some good maneuvering to miss them as well and everyone in the car inhaled sharply as I came within just inches. I'm sure the mother didn't realize that she was leading her family toward a concrete barrier which would stop their progression and complicate keeping her family safe even further. But certainly she had to know that crossing a busy street was potentially hazardous. The only way out would be to backtrack that treacherous and possibly perilous road before they could reach safety.
I wonder how often we, as parents, lead our children into dangerous ground thinking nothing about it. Possibly we watch inappropriate TV shows with less than virtuous messages. Maybe it's music. Perhaps we lead them into dangerous ground with our attitudes or negative language.
It is more important than ever that we realize our children follow us, whether we want them to or not, they're watching and most likely will emulate our actions. From the time they're born they learn by watching and imitating us or doing those things we teach them- everything from talking to eating to dressing to running. It doesn't stop once they hit elementary and have other teachers and friends to follow. They continue to watch us. To imitate. What a terrible feeling when we realize our kids have followed us into dangerous territory and we have a lot of fixing to do. What makes it worse is that there are no guarantees that our children will follow us back across that treacherous ground and into safe territory again.
The best option is to just keep ourselves in the safety of the Lord's commandments in the first place.
What a great analogy! And what a sad situation. :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks. Yes sad there was a lot of traffic that day.
DeleteI just figured out what that stick figure picture was it took me a second. At first, I thought it a mom with a really big ax. Great thought and analogy, poor duck family! ;(
ReplyDeleteActually if you click on the link you'll see that the picture is of the mother who's a realtor picking up a sign that blew over. It makes a good point either way.
DeleteI'm not sure if I should laugh or be ashamed that I knew exactly what the stick figure picture was as soon as I saw it. But how true it is, we lead by example in everything we do, not just our Sunday habits.
ReplyDeleteThe picture doesn't tell the real story but obviously mom's impression makes an impression.
ReplyDelete