Who is watching? or Walking in Daddy’s Shoes

My little girl is a parrot right now.  She is saying anything and everything she hears.  Today she came with Megan to the office and she came up behind me.  I said something that I shouldn’t have said without knowing that she was back there.  She repeated what I said as clearly as I said it, and man, was I embarrassed.

Today when I got home I took off my shoes.  I was ready to be home.  When I came out to the living room Melana had her feet in my shoes and was walking around like she was big stuff.  For Christmas, Melana got a bunch of play food and kitchen stuff.  She walks around in an apron and pushes her grocery kart just like mama.  (Megan does more than just kitchen stuff, but you get the idea. 🙂 )

I’m becoming more and more aware of the fact that my little girl is watching me.  She is imitating the things that I do, and more importantly I am helping to shape her values, morality, and character.  This isn’t a job to be taken lightly.  I’m counseling her every single day, even if I never say a word.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

You know, it’s not just your kids or family that watches you. It’s your neighbor. Your co-worker. The couple in your Sunday School class at church. The kid in your English class. The waitress that waits on you at your favorite restaurant. You would be surprised to know who is watching…who you are counseling…

…maybe even without saying a word.

A New Year. A New Heart: Day 7

And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:s And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Jeremiah 32:39-40

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

In this passage God tells the nation of Israel that He will give them a specific kind of heart.  He says there hearts will be unified, and that this unity will come when they fear God.  He said He would put a fear for Him in their hearts.

What do you think it means to have a heart that fears God?  That could sound like a negative thing,  But obviously God loves us.  So, what does it mean to have a heart that fears God, and why is that a good thing?