Actions Speak Louder

Actions Speak Louder

[Paul said,] “You should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”

1 Corinthians 11:1

I like to make use of otherwise wasted or imprisoned moments to teach and mold little hearts and minds. The car makes a great classroom when “students” are held captive by door locks and seatbelts. Some of our best conversations take place on the road while we practice math facts and spelling words, recite Scripture verses, share hopes and dreams, provide support and encouragement, or discuss right and wrong behaviors.

One day, when my daughter, Abby, was about three years old, I quizzed her on colors when we stopped for a traffic light.

“What does red mean?” I asked while we waited.

“Stop!” she exclaimed.

“That’s right! What does green mean?”

“Go!” she yelled.

“Right. You are so smart. Now, what does yellow mean?”

“Go faster!” she shrieked.

Mouth agape, I snapped my head around to stare at her. She smiled broadly, so proud of herself. The car behind me honked when the light turned green.

“Green light! Go!” shouted Abby happily.

As I quickly turned back in my seat and drove forward, I realized that although my body sat in the driver’s seat, my heart was sitting in a corner wearing a dunce cap. And I marked my lesson well.

Abby might not always have learned from my words, but she had certainly learned from my actions. Sad to say, what people see us do sometimes shouts so loudly that they cannot hear what we say. The problem always comes when our words and our actions don’t match. Sigh.

—Sandra Heska King

Father, I know my actions do not always please you and that I might be the only “Bible” another person reads. I want to be more like Jesus. Help me to grow closer to you so that I can be a good example to others. Thank you. Amen.