Quit rolling your eyes....

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This past weekend I had a long, yawn-induced, talk to my children about the importance of good character.

What they don't know is that every teaching moment I share with them, is really a teaching moment that God has shared with me. I was taught first by Him. Then, I share it with them as if I have it down pat. When actually, I usually am right in the thick of the lesson. 

Hence, the lesson on character. 

This all came about when I was on the phone with someone a few weeks ago. I found myself rolling my eyes at something they said. It may or may not have been my husband on the other line. 

By the third time I rolled my eyes, I had a ping in my heart. You know the ping. The ping of conviction. 

I looked around and thought,"Why the conviction? Nobody is watching me. My kids cannot see me. No one can see me roll my eyes."

Then, I heard a scripture in my head loud and oh so bell-ringing clear..."You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away." Psalm 139:2

Here is how I heard it in my heart though.."You know when I roll my eyes, Lord. Even if I don't roll them and roll them in my thoughts. You see me."

Eek. 

I was busted. Oh so busted.

So, this is how this character stuff all got started. 

How am I acting when no one is looking? 

What kind of thoughts are going on in my head?

Do I really have to put the grocery cart back up, Lord? Can't I just leave it here and pray it won't roll off into the wild blue yonder and hit someone's car?

I want to always do the right thing. Not because I want to be a goody goody, but because I want to honor the Lord. 

However, it's hard sometimes. Sometimes I just wanna be a rebel and not put the bananas back in the fruit isle when it's easier to sit them right on the shelf near the spaghetti sauce when I decide I don't need them after all. [I think that was a run-on sentence. Hope that's not a sign of bad character.]

I want to live out this verse: 

...so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God... " Colossians 1:10

Please God in all respects. Bear fruit in every good work. Increase my knowledge of Him. 

YES!

So, as I was teaching my children the importance of their character, I urged them to be aware of their thoughts throughout the day. I told them to "capture their thoughts to the obedience of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5

When our thoughts run away, so do our hearts. 

Even if our mouths are not out of line, if are hearts are out of line, then we are not honoring the Lord.

"'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Matthew 15:8

As I pray for my children to be bold, strong in the Lord, to be wise, to be discerning....

I am also praying for their hearts to be devoted to God at all times. Not just when people are looking. 

My prayer is that they will know that the little things in life are really the big things. 

When they choose obedience in the very smallest things, they are honoring the Lord in a very big way. 

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones." 
Luke 16:10

Since the talk with my kids, I have seen small little changes in them. Very small, but I have noticed. 

I haven't said anything to them about the small character changes I have seen because I want them to do this for the Lord and not for their momma. 

The desire of my heart is for their true character to reflect Christ. A heart fully devoted to the Lord even in the deepest parts. I desire the same thing for my heart. 

If I am not honoring and respecting those around me, I am not honoring the Lord. 

Here are some prayers I am praying over my children and myself this week as we develop our character. 

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." John 14:23


Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58


Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27

Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Colossians 3:20

The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their walk are His delight. Proverbs 11:20

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

"And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." John 8:29

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Our character is important to God. It reflects who we really are when no one is looking.

God desires our character to reflect Him.

Let's work on this. For the rest of our lives, shall we?


no more eye-rolling,


jill