On Role Models

I had a very insightful conversation with a coworker today in which I mentioned that I wanted to be a doctor because I admired my father from childhood & I started a business bc I was inspired by my mother's "go get it" mindset. (She is of course the greatest to ever do it). We were talking about children needing role models in life and how she wished her parents were hers. She hates that kids have to look outside the home for role models these days. She was shocked when I told her that my parents are my role models and life models in general. (We were talking about children needing role models in life and how she thought it strange that kids have to look outside the home for role models these days). But in that moment of seeing the look of confusion (maybe astonishment) on her face, I realized that most children DON'T see their parents as their role models! They may see them as great people, or strong people or great parents etc but why not as a role model? There must be a missing link somewhere.

My admiration for my parents come from the values that they hold, and taught me. They raised me by example, and thus by seeing them lead exemplary lives it caused me to want to embody all of it. Now I'm not saying I agreed completely with everything they did or said and want to be a replica, What I'm simply saying is that I look up to them greatly & hold them (their advice, their opinions etc) in thee highest regard. I am yet to see a celebrity more beautiful than my mother, or a professional more wealthy than my father & I mean that in the most honest of ways. I use the words "beautiful" & "wealthy" not in their superficial definition but to show that those characteristics mean more when they are not merely physical, and inner qualities possess a ton more value than the physical.

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16

"but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:4

While no parent is perfect, if there must be a role model to be had, then by God's grace I will be my child's (earthly) role model as I point them to One who is much greater than I and lead them to accept Him (Christ) as their personal Lord & Savior. Personally I would be hurt if someone were to ask my child "who is your role model?" and their response is "Michael Jordan", or "Spiderman", or "MLK" or "Beyonce"? HECK NO. They didn't raise you! LOL


Grace & PEACE.