Humility in Living

Teaching humility to children can be an interesting journey. Since we are all selfish by nature, humility does not come naturally or easily to anyone and children are no exception. As parents we can sometimes get frustrated when teaching a life lesson to our children and we realize they are not listening. I'm chuckling to myself as I write this knowing the many times I have wanted my children to listen to me because I “know what I'm talking about” and they are struggling to be heard over me at the same time. Frustrating but true! I realize that although my teaching them is important and needs to be heard, it's not about me being heard or being right, it's about my children learning not just from my words, but from my daily actions. Not an easy task!

It is important for our children to see us as accessible, fallible, forgiving and forgiven. After all, who wants to admit mistakes to or be taught by a parent who is always right, always instructing and always perfect? Only God has that luxury. But with humility we can love more, teach more and guide more than ever before in our parenting. It enables us to guide them in a way to love others as well as themselves, to help them problem-solve without arrogance and to help others with kindness and grace. I'm not suggesting that we sit our children down to tell them all of our mistakes and past failures, but when the situation arises and we know that we didn't act as we should that we admit it to them or let them see us admit it to God. Grace in action. Humility in living.

One of the most beautiful expressions of humility and service that I have heard was from a family I met long ago. These wonderful, godly parents were teaching their son that his hands were made by God to love people by helping them, his mouth was made to love people by telling them about God's love and encouraging them, his ears were made to love people by listening to them and then praying for them and so on. What an amazing illustration of humility in their teaching – putting others before themselves.

So as I move forward trying to teach, parent and live in humility, I've written down some guidelines to remember.

•  Use what your children have experienced to teach them. If they have been hurt by a friend or sibling because of their unwillingness to share, use that as an example to your parenting.

•  When they tease someone, hold them accountable. Remind them that they do not like to be teased and have them apologize to the other person.

•  Have them work together with someone else as a team in an activity. It will help them realize values that others bring to a problem or situation.

•  Teach them to be polite. Saying “please” or “thank you” always helps us be aware of the gifts given us.

•  Teach them to encourage or help others. If a member of your church has not been well, have your child make them a card or pick some flowers for them. Recognizing the jobs of service that firefighters and police officers do by baking them cookies is another excellent way of encouraging others.

•  Teach your children that it's okay to ask for help. It will help them recognize their limitations and grow from them.

•  Hold them accountable for disrespectful behavior and talk. Show them they can have disagreements without yelling or tantrums.

•  Encourage them in their journeys. Help them to see success as a game well-played whether it was won or not. As long as they do their best, let them see you rejoice in their best. Success isn't always winning, but it is playing well, learning as you go and being willing to learn from others.

To contact Lori: www.momof2.wordpress.com