As a parent, we are constantly second guessing how we are doing in that said role; parent. Am I teaching my children the right way to do specific things that will stay with them forever? Am I showing them the correct way to mow the yard? rake the leaves? paint the walls? take care of the car? Am I living a life that is the life I hope they copy, or imitate as they grow up?
Yes, there is a lot of second guessing that goes on when you're a parent. But, then there are those days when some of the most important questions you may have about your child are answered by a total stranger.
My wife, Karen, and I were in Asheville this past Sunday evening to visit my daughter and her husband. Our daughter, Kristen, is in charge of a children's ministry which was performing a Christmas play/musical at the church they attend. It went really well. The children said their lines (with very little coaching), and they sang so good. I believe everyone there had a great time. And, it was fun to see the impact Kristen was having on the lives of these children.
After the performance, there is the milling around and meeting people, and parents collecting their children to pack up their things to go home. A few people came up and told my wife and I they were glad we made it up and it was good to see us again. Then, a lady came up to us and asked if we were Kristen's parents. We answered yes, expecting the normal response about how much they enjoy the way Kristen works so hard with their child, or how dedicated she is with the children at the church. But, her response wasn't like those at all. She told us that she works with our daughter at a furniture store. Then she paused...and I could see tears well up in her eyes as she tried to speak. She swallowed hard...collected herself...and then she said... "Your daughter is a true, living example of a Christ follower."
Then she turned and walked away...wiping her eyes.
My heart was bursting inside me. I am sure my daughter knows the impact she is having on the children at the church, other young couples at the church, and other people at the church. But, she is also having an impact on those outside the church. She has invited this lady she works with on several occasions to come to the church. This night was her first time at the church, and she shared with Kristen's parents the impact Kristen has had on her.
Do we ever think that we can only impact the lives of people while we are at church? Do we ever realize the impact we have in our everyday lives? People are watching us. Our children are watching us. Our friends are watching us. Are we true, living examples of a Christ follower?
