The Truth

It is so easy to to get caught up in performance mode. Last Friday, I posted a blog as a proud father about Faith being "Student of The Week" at OB Elementary. That evening I laid in bed and became extremely convicted about the values I was teaching Faith. See, after I posted Friday's blog, I made sure that Faith saw it. I made a big deal about her award, no harm done? This was one of the first true achievements Faith had been awarded and I made a huge deal (positive reinforcement, right)? Any other parent would do the same? Problem though:What happens when she is not first or the best, how will she react? Reality is I want her self worth to be built on the unconditional love of her heavenly father not on performance. See Faith needs the Gospel in her achievement as much as anyone. Here is a stark truth about Faith - Last week my mother was visiting from Florida and Michelle caught Faith telling grandma Lees to "Get out of my room!" This was followed by a poster she made for her door proclaiming "NO Grandmas!"(you can imagine her tone of voice). That is my "student of the week" pretty stinking and selfish.

When I got home, I took Faith to her bedroom and sat on her bed and had a "talk". I talked with Faith on a heart level and wanted her to know that I was very disappointed and was going to take privileges. I finished our time together by telling her how much I loved her. I told her that my love is not based on whether she was first or last but on the fact that she was my little girl. Nothing could ever change the fact that she was my little girl and I would always love her.

When you are loved unconditionally, it frees you up not to be driven to be first but let others shine. Hopefully, this was a teachable moment for Faith, I know it was for me. Next, time I will make a big deal and blog about a character issue, like serving a classmate if it happens (I hope so).

P.S. Faith loves her Grandma Lees so much and felt very badly for what she had done. Thankfully, Grandma Lees loves her unconditionally too!