No Traffic Jams on the Extra Mile
Posted on January 3, 2011 with 0 comments
One of my 3 guiding words for this year is inheritance. It is so much easier to discern what I have inherited (brown eyes, Oma's red ruby dishes, a musical bent, German thighs- not from my mom!) than to know for sure what I will be passing on to my children. Yet I care far more about the future than the past. I don't have control, but I do have influence, and what I can be is intentional with what I pass on to my little heirs.
The power of positive parenting overwhelmed me tonight as I watched the son of one of my friends earn his Eagle Scout award at a moving and inspiring ceremony. This was their 3rd son to earn this honor. As his friends and leaders spoke about him, they pointed out his kindness, respectfulness, organized nature, determination, and deep faith. A child does not accidentally learn these things. It is the inheritance of loving, faithful parents. Well done, Scott and Diane!
My favorite quote of the evening was this:
There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.
If I could teach my kids to go the extra mile on whatever path they take; to go the extra mile in the little things that no one but God sees; to go the extra mile to serve another...now wouldn't that be a worthy inheritance. It might be a bit lonely on that extra mile stretch, but it's the place of greater reward.