Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Childhood (09/03/09)
-
TITLE: Inside Outside | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Taylor
09/05/09 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I can’t tell you how many times my mom tried to instill this valuable lesson in the hearts of her three children. Usually it was in the context of not judging others on their outward appearance. Or when she was trying to convince us that a bad haircut was not going to ruin our lives.
I’m so grateful to my mom for this lesson, as well as countless others. But as I reflect on my childhood and think about what others saw from the outside, I could easily turn this saying around and argue that the outside counts, too. In fact, it’s the convergence and consistency of the outside and the inside that may matter most.
The outside view of my family looked like this: Married parents who loved each other, took us to church every time the doors were open, prayed before meals, and taught us to love each other. Most importantly, though, they taught us to love the Lord our God above all else.
My friends lovingly referred to my family as “Beaver Cleaver-ish” and even joked that we probably all said goodnight to each other , Walton-style, before we turned out the lights.
Now don’t get me wrong – we weren’t perfect. But my parents did a really good job of setting a Christian example for us and for those around us by talking the talk and walking the walk.
When I look at my parents, I see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Ah, yes, the fruit of the Spirit from Galations 5:22.
With my parents, what’s on the inside is truly reflected on the outside. And it’s not gone unnoticed by those around them. I was thinking earlier this week about Matthew 5: 14-16:
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Fruit of the Spirit and the light of the world. Those truths are so intricately linked.
I realize that my childhood was rare, and I am so grateful to have been blessed with the family God chose to bless me with…But regardless of what your family was like and how you were raised, I think there is an adult lesson for all of us when it comes to what’s inside versus what’s outside.
If we give our hearts to God and let Him change us on the inside, what people see on the outside will then be a reflection of Him. And then that has a ripple effect. .. I believe that’s what he wants most for us and from us.
As children of God, may we bear fruit and shine brightly from the inside out so that others may see His glory.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
