“So be careful little eyes what you see, so be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above He is looking down in love, so be careful little eyes what you see.
So be careful little ears what you hear, so be careful little ears what you hear, for the Father up above He is looking down in love, so be careful little ears what you hear.
So be careful little mouth what you say, so be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above he is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say.”
Some of you may be familiar with this children’s song and some not. In pondering my parenting years preparing for this month’s post, God brought this little song to mind. The words although simple, are powerful! As parents we try to rightly influence our children in their formative years, but then at times the fact that we are human is greatly witnessed by those little ones. Just when we have forgotten that we said that little “naughty” word two days ago, as the grocery bag broke spilling spaghetti sauce and shattering glass all over the garage floor, we hear it flowing from the lips of our three year old when the television will not work for them.
Our granddaughter Ainsley Kate is the last of four in her family, and this year has been the first time she has gotten to spend time alone with her mommy. Her three siblings are all in school. As she was helping around the house one day, Angela heard her say with great frustration, “Gracious!” She repeated it several times causing her mom to stop and pay attention to how many times each day she herself says, “Gracious!”
Years ago, we owned a home on a large corner lot. It was the focal point for everyone turning into our subdivision. The builder had chosen to seed the yard rather that lay sod. With all the trees it was very difficult to grow things, especially seeded grass! We had hired a well known company to help us get control of the weeds and to green up the lawn. One afternoon, as Mark arrived home to a yard obviously in great need of service, he was very frustrated with the company we had hired. After several months of paying for a service we felt we were not getting, he decided to give them a call. As he entered the house, he immediately got on the phone working his way through the automated voice service. After several minutes, he was able to talk with a representative. His harsh choleric tone conveyed to the lady on the other end that he was not happy with the company’s service. He told her that the price we were paying was not being reflected in our lawn. He made it clear that what they advertised and what they delivered were not the same. After threatening to cancel their service he was promised that they would make it right.
Our daughter, Kelly, had been seated at the kitchen table doing her homework. As Mark hung up the phone, she looked up from her books and said, “Well dad, at least you didn’t cuss at her.” Her words pierced his heart. He went upstairs to change his clothes. Just moments later, he returned to the kitchen to apologize to Kelly for his tone and the way he handled the conversation. He then picked up the phone and called the woman back to apologize.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Let’s face it, even as Christian parents we are sometimes “fleshly.” Our heart desires to be a reflection of our Heavenly Father, but in the weakness of our flesh, we fail to be the example we should be to our children. Oh, but there is good news! Matthew tells us that our flesh is weak, yet our God is strong. John tells us that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Paul tells us numerous times in the New Testament that we are in process. You and I are being transformed into His likeness. When Mark came down and apologized to Kelly and then called the lady back to ask her forgiveness, he was being transformed before his daughter’s eyes.
So be careful Christian parent how you act, so be careful Christian parent how you act, for those living in your house, they are watching attentively, so be careful Christian parent how you act.
So be careful Christian parent what you do, so be careful Christian parent what you do, for those living in your house are daily watching you, so be careful Christian parents what you do. >
So be careful Christian parents what you say, so be careful Christian parents what you say, those living in your house your words they may repeat, so be careful Christian parents what you say.
Oh be careful Christian parent, because little ears are listening, little eyes are seeing, and little mouths are repeating. For the Father up above, He is looking down in love, so be careful Christian parents how you live.
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” I Timothy 4:12
dianne