What are you passing on to the next generation spiritually? Eyes are always watching us, and we are constantly being scouted and imitated. We ALL influence somebody. Our children and other kids are watching what we do, hearing what we say, and noticing how we think.

I have heard it said that children do in excess what they see their parents do in moderation. Words, attitudes, and actions that to us may be incidental become building blocks for the personalities of children.

Unfortunately, I have seen parents who displayed a lack of respect for authority raise children who didn’t respect them. I have seen parents criticize people in the church and then wonder why their kids, when old enough to choose for themselves, wanted nothing to do with the church. I have seen parents who considered their commitment to things spiritual to be optional question how their kids could walk away from the things of God.

Part of living an intentional life is realizing at every moment we can make a conscious effort to build positive traits into the lives of people around us.

Be mindful of your own words, attitudes, and actions. Think about what you are saying and portraying.

Talk less. Laugh and smile more. You will be amazed at how something as simple as a positive outlook on life positively affects our children.

Be honest and authentic. Your kids see your faults. Admitting them and striving to overcome them sets an example for a generation of honesty and integrity.

Gladly take on the mantle of ROLE MODEL. You are whether you want to be or not. You are leading by example . . . good or bad.

Become the kind of person who can say with Paul:

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:9

The next generational will be “us plus.”