But this article struck me because of #2, "Respect." It is something that I feel I have failed on and didn't realize until I've watched it play out in my kids.
I've been a part of several companies and been as high as Vice President. However, I've always reached a limit of sorts, when I encounter the next level up. In each case, I'm not in positional authority and therefore must submit to that authority.
This may sound like every employee complaining about their boss. But to be honest, it isn't. Some people are going to complain if they had to work for a saint like Mother Theresa.
And that is when it hit me. My young adult children have only seen me in my later years, the years where I was near the top. They have seen me struggle against the next level and point out the inconsistencies and alternate solutions. They have heard my heart and desire and how "logical" it all sounds.
That is because I have been used to being able to "vent" with my wife. My wife knows me like none other. She helps recharge me so I can go back in another day and do it again. She knows that my actions at work are consistent to the forgiving and gracious character that I have and display on the outside everywhere I go. Everywhere I go, except home.
So there it is, my kids see my critical side. And as such, haven't learned the grace that we should give others. The Grace that God offers us that we in turn can offer others. Now I wish I could turn back the clock and be more careful about where I discuss my woes. Or that I could show them my actions when I am at work over my criticism about work.
There is the life that I live, and then there are the battles that rage in my head. My home has been the place I let my guard down and I see that was a mistake because of how critical and inconsiderate my kids are towards others. They are fine with the people they like, but not everybody.
As a soccer coach, I tell my players that as much as you feel others pushing, pulling or grabbing at you, your team is pushing, pulling and grabbing at them. It is so easy to see the speck in your friend's eye and completely ignore the plank in your own. And so I write to myself here.
My prayer now is that they learn more about God's grace so they can extend it to others. Plain and simple. And with what time I have left, I hope I can be a better example.
