“People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is my desperate hope and prayer that I raise my children to know what character is, how it is shaped, and the importance of it's value in their lives.
TODAY: Jeffrey comes to me with his reading log to sign that he has clearly just filled out. His reading times for the last week showed that he read 30 min a day, every day, from a book that ...wait for it... he just checked out from the library today. (sigh)
Me: Jeffrey, is the information on this reading log honest?
Jeffrey: yes.
Me: Jeffrey, this is honest? You read every day for the past 7 days from a book that you just checked out today? This is your chance. (please tell the truth)
Jeffrey: no, it's not honest, but I did read two chapters today, but you need to sign it.
Me: Jeffrey, if I sign it, then not only you would be a liar, but I would be a liar. I am not willing to be a liar.
Jeffrey: Mom, she's not going to know
Me: (cringe) ok. Time to talk about character. Get comfortable; after my 5 minute lecture, you will be able to tell me what godly character looks like.
Jeffrey: (overly heavy) sigh.
I realize that this is minor in comparison to what could be considered as big life mistakes. It is, however, one of the many tiny things that begin to shape character from childhood, into adolescence, into adulthood. People know us by our character. People decide whether or not to trust us based on our character. Our thoughts, our words, our behaviors; it all comes down to our character. Doing the right thing when no one will ever know that you are doing the right thing.
