Actions Reflect Values
“Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again.” -- Deuteronomy 6:7
Moses was reminding the Israelites about God’s commandments and what God expected of them as a people and as parents. It’s a reminder we sure could use in today’s world. So many parents expect others -- such as teachers -- to instruct their kids in what is right and wrong. But if they don’t get it at home, chances are they won’t get it anywhere else.
Don’t get me wrong. There are many wonderful teachers who do the very best they can in a difficult situation. Remember public school teachers aren’t allowed to do a lot of talking about the Ten Commandments. Nor do teachers get a lot of support from parents. It’s that old thinking that if something is wrong, your child isn’t to blame and shouldn’t be held accountable.
Of course, it doesn’t do any good to simply talk about right and wrong. You’ve got to live it. Kids have an uncanny way of reflecting us to the world. That can be good and that can be bad.
What do your actions say about your values? God tells us not to covet what other people have. Do you at moan about your desire to have a new SUV like the one your neighbor just purchased? Do you constantly compare what you don’t have to what other people do have? Well, you’re teaching your children to covet what other people have.
God also tells us not to steal. Most people don’t worry about that. They have no plans to rob a convenience store or hotwire another person’s car. They forget that stealing also means “creative” accounting. Stealing means taking supplies from your employer without permission because “they’ll never know.” Stealing can even mean taking credit and praise for something you didn’t do.
Your actions reflect your values far more than your words. Are your actions teaching your children God’s laws? Are you sure?
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