The Apple Falls
They say the apple dont fall far from the tree…meaning, children will more often than not, pick up on a parent’s tendencies, quirks, habits and hang-ups, and display them, themselves. That ol’ “monkey-see, monkey-do” thang. It’s why you, mom, and you, dad, don’t wanna rely on that tired ol’ proverb, “Do what I say, not what I do”, as a training tool for your kids … it dont work. As a parent myself, i tried recalling if my own younguns picked up on something i may’ve emulated … good or bad … and i came up with one pretty quickly. Now, don’t be so fast to judge, because I’m not sure if they “heard”, “saw” or just acquired it through that DNA thingy… but i can remember always having a tendency to wanna “show out” or “impress” those folks who were watching me. It mattered not what i was doing … climbing, hittin signs with rocks or bottles, doin flips off a divin board, rampin on my bike, jumpin hills on my dirtbike, etc; etc; i liked seeing the admiration in their expressions and hear their praises. I enjoyed bein “bragged on”…and i can honestly say, at least two of my kids wound up doin the same thing 😩. Let’s not get pious or holier-than-thou … if you’re honest, you probably “willed” one or more less-than-admirable traits to one of your kids…to a niece or nephew…a grandkid or that little next-door-neighbor kid. It’s where that truth originated… “The sins of the father will be visited on the son” ( Exodus 20:5 ) … and it’s as true today as it was so many years ago. Jesus took a prime opportunity to school a buncha prominent Pharisees and their cohorts as a guest in their home. He couldn’t get em to speak their minds, even though He already knew what they were thinkin, so He healed a man of a physical ailment although it was the Sabbath. He asked em another question to give em the opportunity to answer…” If you have a child fall in a well or an ox get in a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you get it out ?” Still…no answer. So Jesus begins a parable that provides a life-lesson about “pride” and a “self-serving” attitude. And here’s us all one to tape to the frigerator … “ For everyone who exalts himself / herself will be humbled, and he / she who humbles himself / herself will be exalted.” ( Luke 14:1-11 ) Once we pass it down, there’s no stopping it…apart from the power of God ! That’s why it’s so critical that we watch what we do and sensor what we say … they are like sponges … and a stout relationship with Jesus is gonna be their ( our ) only hope. If pridefulness is hereditary, let’s all try to channel it towards the One that truly deserves to be bragged on … “Jesus, the Son of GOD” ! Lord, break down our foolish pride and let us live lives of humility, so others will follow suit. A prideful spirit doesn’t come from You and definitely is not becoming…it gives a false impression of You to others. We don’t deserve to be exalted, but You, on the other hand, deserve all our exaltation. Help us to repent of wrongful behavior and unrighteousness so as to bring You honor and glory. In the life-changing name above all names, the name Jesus we pray…Amen.