Lead By Example

As a mom, one of the biggest things that bugs me is when my kids act like it’s such a burden to help out or serve someone. If I ask them to pick up the box of crackers in the living room and they will usually say, “That’s not mine.” My response, “So what, I asked you to pick it up.”

I know where they’ve seen this attitude. I’m guilty. Sometimes I don’t want to serve my family. I’m selfish and it shows in my actions and words. I don’t want to make oatmeal when my daughter asks, so I say, “You’re ten years old, you can read directions.” I don’t want to cut my husband’s hair after making dinner. I’m tired. I do it but with obvious grunts of displeasure.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been hearing and reading the same message. God usually works that way. What example did Jesus show us? He became less. He gave. He loved. He washed his disciples feet. A dirty job! He lead not by demanding others to serve him but by example. He served.

Ten years ago I had to do the same thing. Not wash feet, but lead by example. I was a property manager of a town home community. The owners wanted the property to be clean, so everyday I led my staff of three outside with our five gallon paint buckets and long handled pickers. Our mission: pick up trash. As a manager, I wasn’t exempt. I picked up dog poo and lipstick stained cigarette butts with the rest of them. It wasn’t as bad as it sounds. We actually had great talks and laughs. We got some fresh air and exercise and the grounds looked great after we were done.

Funny how this memory came flooding in as I’ve thought about how I want to be a better example. I want my kids to see that the greatest gifts in life aren’t what we get but rather what we give. And I mean give with grumbling. I’ve got a long way to go.

Hopefully I’m not leaving a trail of trash for my kids to kick out of their way. Hopefully I’m leaving something worth picking up, like an example of unconditional love and service.

(The picture above is of Derek and our two kids. Love this shot.)