I’ve been a spectator of my “mom peers” who are on their journey of working out and eating healthy. I follow as they share their personal stories; documenting their weaknesses and strengths, failures and successes. One particular statement that has caught my eye expresses, “Little eyes are watching”.
Essentially, these moms are saying that their children are watching their personal lifestyle choices. They want to be a good role model in terms of their well being. They place value on, and respect for, their bodies.
Indeed, little eyes are watching. I know this to be true as my toddler watches all that my husband and I do. Not only that, but he’s listening too. Though, this goes beyond just working out and eating healthy. It is involved in every area of our lives.
For instance, I have had “adult conversations” with others and thought my toddler was too young to understand. Then, some time later he would be repeating pieces of that said conversation to another. Or, I’ve disciplined my children and my dog with a raised voice and harsh words. Only to later witness my toddler replicating the things that I’ve said.
This has had my mind in an uproar. What else have I said or done that he might replicate? What type of role model am I being? Am I teaching him values and lessons on respect? I truly need to reconsider how my words and behaviors have effected my children.
This concept that “little eyes are watching” is not a new one, though. In fact, the Creator of this universe was the first to Author it. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”
There was a time in my life when I lived like no one was watching. And, I’m talking in terms far beyond working out and eating healthy. I went out to bars and drank until I couldn’t remember anything. I was promiscuous and had no standards in which I interacted with guys. I made many irresponsible, disrespectful, and harmful choices. I didn’t care what I said, much less did to my body.
Oh, but God was, and still is, always watching. I came to learn, “..there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”- Luke 12:2-3 NKJV. Those things I thought no one knew about me eventually became disclosed. People talk with other people. Aside from being ashamed and embarrassed, it was a wake up call to the destructive reality of my personal life choices.
By God’s strength, forgiveness, grace and mercy, I ultimately walked away from that way of life. Even now, I’m choosing to rid my life of other sinful acts. Colossians 3:5, 8-9 says, “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.” This isn’t just a recommendation. It is a commandment. It is not only a valuable lesson to respect myself but to respect the One who created me. It is choosing a life of obedience to His Word.
Most assuredly, I can currently apply these same commandments to my life. Especially by the way I speak and act in front of my children. My life is transparent. It is all documented; my weaknesses and strengths, failures and successes. Every area of my life is exposed- to my children, to others, even more so to God. May I always place value on, and respect for, all my lifestyle choices.
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”- 1 John 1:8-10 NLT
Sacred Sheep 