I am being watched. Most likely at times I would least
expect it, possibly even doing something that seems meaningless, something with
no value at all. But I know I am being watched.
A sweet new friend of mine sent me a picture a month or so
ago of her daughter who had walked into the room and said, “Look! Mom! I’m Ms.
Ally!” Her little girl had wrapped a scarf around her body and put her baby
doll in it to carry around her house. It brought my husband and I a good laugh.
ago of her daughter who had walked into the room and said, “Look! Mom! I’m Ms.
Ally!” Her little girl had wrapped a scarf around her body and put her baby
doll in it to carry around her house. It brought my husband and I a good laugh.
Then a few weeks later I got another text from another mom
at church. Her daughter had walked in the room and asked for her to tie something
around her body so she could “carry her baby in it like Ms. Ally does.” I
smiled and laughed at the coincidence of the two occasions. Apparently this is
the first time these little girls have seen a baby carried in a wrap before? Then
I laughed even more thinking, I am so glad they are learning something at church.
at church. Her daughter had walked in the room and asked for her to tie something
around her body so she could “carry her baby in it like Ms. Ally does.” I
smiled and laughed at the coincidence of the two occasions. Apparently this is
the first time these little girls have seen a baby carried in a wrap before? Then
I laughed even more thinking, I am so glad they are learning something at church.
Then the word influence hit me like a ton of
bricks.
bricks.
Every week I have this incredible opportunity to influence
young children for the Kingdom of God. I may think standing up on stage,
leading the kids in worship, or keeping the service going is what is going to
make a difference in their lives, but it’s not. These kids are not just watching me on stage; they are watching me off
stage. They are watching me as a wife and how I interact with my husband. They
are watching me as a mom and how I pay attention to my son. They are watching
me as a friend and how I show that I care about others. They are watching me as
I respond to them, and every child around them. Every seemingly small or non-significant thing that I do is influencing
them.
young children for the Kingdom of God. I may think standing up on stage,
leading the kids in worship, or keeping the service going is what is going to
make a difference in their lives, but it’s not. These kids are not just watching me on stage; they are watching me off
stage. They are watching me as a wife and how I interact with my husband. They
are watching me as a mom and how I pay attention to my son. They are watching
me as a friend and how I show that I care about others. They are watching me as
I respond to them, and every child around them. Every seemingly small or non-significant thing that I do is influencing
them.
I love making little kissy faces at my son. He thinks it’s
so funny, especially when I make little noises that go with it. Then one day he
decided to copy me. It was so cute watching him try to mimic the facial
expression I was making, and I was so excited when he figured it out! It was
heart-warming that my sweet little man wanted to “be like his mama” (in the way
little babies do, of course).
so funny, especially when I make little noises that go with it. Then one day he
decided to copy me. It was so cute watching him try to mimic the facial
expression I was making, and I was so excited when he figured it out! It was
heart-warming that my sweet little man wanted to “be like his mama” (in the way
little babies do, of course).
God reminded me once again of that word influence. I was
beginning to see just how powerful influence really is.
beginning to see just how powerful influence really is.
I really felt God speak to me about the importance of being intentional
about the ability we have to influence others in our lives. Ultimately, I want
the influence in my life to point back to Christ. Every seemingly small moment
matters. How I interact with the grocery store clerk. How I greet a child when
they walk in the door of the elementary auditorium. How I greet my leaders who
volunteer their time to help. How I respect my husband. How I engage in spending
quality time with my son. Even how I respond to mistakes, because I am going to
make them, there is no doubt about that.
about the ability we have to influence others in our lives. Ultimately, I want
the influence in my life to point back to Christ. Every seemingly small moment
matters. How I interact with the grocery store clerk. How I greet a child when
they walk in the door of the elementary auditorium. How I greet my leaders who
volunteer their time to help. How I respect my husband. How I engage in spending
quality time with my son. Even how I respond to mistakes, because I am going to
make them, there is no doubt about that.
Influence is one of the greatest gifts we can hold in our
walks with God. It holds the ability to grow others around us, while stretching
ourselves. We shouldn’t stress about the fact that someone may be watching us,
or feel that we need to put on a show because of that. The beauty of influence
is in the genuine nature of it. The power of influence is in its ability to be
real.
walks with God. It holds the ability to grow others around us, while stretching
ourselves. We shouldn’t stress about the fact that someone may be watching us,
or feel that we need to put on a show because of that. The beauty of influence
is in the genuine nature of it. The power of influence is in its ability to be
real.
I realized how easy it is to forget that I had the ability
to influence others, and not only that it was possible but that it was
happening. These little girls were watching me and were intrigued by something
I was doing. My son was watching me and wanted to be just like his mommy. And
if they are watching the small things, I am sure they are watching the big
things. I was challenged to ask myself the question, “Am I being intentional
about pointing them back to Christ?”
to influence others, and not only that it was possible but that it was
happening. These little girls were watching me and were intrigued by something
I was doing. My son was watching me and wanted to be just like his mommy. And
if they are watching the small things, I am sure they are watching the big
things. I was challenged to ask myself the question, “Am I being intentional
about pointing them back to Christ?”
You know, someone is watching you too.
Whether it be your co-workers, your family, the people you
lead, or your children you are being watched by someone. You have influence in
someone’s life. I am sure that if you sat down long enough and gave it some
thought, you could name a few people that you know look up to you in one way or
another. For every person you know is watching you, I can guarantee there is
someone you don’t know who is watching you too. Your life holds influence.
Everyone’s life holds influence.
lead, or your children you are being watched by someone. You have influence in
someone’s life. I am sure that if you sat down long enough and gave it some
thought, you could name a few people that you know look up to you in one way or
another. For every person you know is watching you, I can guarantee there is
someone you don’t know who is watching you too. Your life holds influence.
Everyone’s life holds influence.
God has given your life the power to influence those around
you, and that is supposed to be a blessing! What can you do today to be
intentional about the influence your life has on those around you?
you, and that is supposed to be a blessing! What can you do today to be
intentional about the influence your life has on those around you?
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ahh love this and so so true!!! =D
Oh my goodness I love this. I always try to be mindful that even the simplest things can influence Rilynn as she grows!
Very nice post. Yeah, its easy to forget that we have people watching us and looking up to us. I'm the second oldest of 9 kids, and the first oldest left for college. So I'm the one the kids look up to. Especially my sisters. And I forget that a LOT. I can see ways that my 5 year old sister wants to be like me and sometimes I wish she wouldnt because of how often I make mistakes. but she does. and Im honored:)
thanks for the reminder:)
This is so true. I loved it!
It is truly amazing how closely we are watched when we take the time to notice! That's a big responsibility!