Cultivating Character

Jase and I finally made it back to our Mom to Mom group last week and I'm so glad we were able to make it. Not only was it great to get out of the house and have a much needed break from Jase some adult interaction, but I always leave there refreshed with some goals to make be a better mom and wife. Last week we talked about Cultivating Character in our little ones and in us. I will apologize in advance as I really should have taken my book home, but I am writing off mostly memory and what I most got out of the discussion.

We all want our children to have character, to be their own person and be a good person, right? Daily, I know I'm trying my best to show Jase the "right" way to do things, how to be nice, how to be gentle and kind, but if I'm honest, I know I mess up on the daily. There are days I loose my temper to easily or I rush through a task to move onto the next, basically doing the things I don't want Jase to do or mimic.

Key points I took from the session were these:

• Character is who you are when no one's looking.
• Character is catching. What does Jase learn from watching me?
• Key to building character is modeling it. 
• I need to model my need for God's mercy, grace and forgiveness.

The truth is, no one is perfect. The awesome thing is our children are little sponges and we can help mold them with the help of God's grace. I left Thursday morning feeling like it was exactly what I needed to hear. After Jase and I had been sick on and off for a month we were both at our worst and exhausted. I felt myself short tempered with him and most likely showing him poor character at times. What I can teach him now is God's grace is good and I am also still a work in progress. Everyday is a new one for me to be better than the day before, to be more kind, more patient and more willing to slow down a bit.

<3 Lindsey