Paying it forward

As a new year dawns, fresh and untouched, I consider what I have learned this past year that I should apply going forward. How have I grown: as a wife, as a mom, as a friend, as a Christ-follower? Where will I go next?

I don't really do resolutions. And there's no real reason to look back now, except that a clean calendar suggests a fresh start :)

And while I don't have all the answers to my questions (I have all week to reflect, you know), one thing seems to eclipse everything else. As an adult, I impact the next generation. Adults, we all do. It's not just a parenting thing or a teacher thing or a youth leader thing. Every adult sends a message to those coming up behind us.

My son shared a story with me yesterday showing just how much influence we have. Another adult at our church, who happens to serve on the same ministry team as my sons, stepped away from his ministry role for a few moments to address his own child's "attitude issue." My son noticed:

1. Parenting is a 24/7 job,

2. This man had his priorities right: he stopped serving other people's kids, just for a moment, to parent his own child when it was needed. We tell our kids it's God first, family second, ministry third and the rest of life after that. Both my sons both noticed when this man lived it out.

3. This man's child is one of the best kids to minister to. My son realizes that strong, effective, intentional parenting has helped this kid start to become a young man of great character.

These lessons reflect on a man's parenting, but they did so much more. My son thanked me for being so intentional with him. He has another example of Godly fathering to file away for his future. It reemphasized that being a Christian is not just about Bible reading and prayer, but is also a lifestyle. "We may be the only Bible people ever read."

Dear God, As I move ahead to 2010, let my life be more than an example to the next generation. Provide the opportunity to make a kingdom sized impact on those who follow. I pray, too, that others (so many already do) will realize the opportunity they have to influence the next gen: through serving, through living, through sharing, through their example. In Jesus' name, Amen.