Does Your Focus Need Focus?

In these times, where we place our focus can determine our outcomes. As parents, our perspective should encompass the truth of knowing we mold future leaders that could impact education, healthcare, government, and various world systems. In essence, as parents, we shape the lives of children who impact the lives of others around the world.

There is no leader who was not first born as a child and influenced by the lifestyle of their parents or other authority figures who set standards and modeled behaviors by what they did or did not practice, both privately and publicly. As I observe people in leadership positions, I pause to ask this question: who shaped this person into the leader they are today?

Yes, adults make their own decisions; however, even most of those decisions are influenced by the seeds sown earlier in life. Bad influences spawn bad leadership that originates from a pattern of unhealthy influences, unchecked behaviors, and immoral practices over a period of time. I am challenged to look at leaders today from the perspective of parenting and the influence of parenting on future leaders.

Leadership does not start in adulthood. It does not start when people turn 18 or 21, get married, or run for office. Leadership starts at home by what is taught and what is caught. A child who is given proper instruction, will know how to lead with compassion and wisdom. A child who learns deceit will know how to be a deceitful leader. When parents see their children as leaders, they should train them to lead well.

Watching events on the national and international stage can be daunting but we need not be overwhelmed. Instead, pray and guide our children into truth and right behaviors. Parents, we have an opportunity and the privilege to teach our children proper values and true service to others. So, what are we doing with our opportunities? Where is our focus?

Our consistent presence and investment of time and energy into a personal relationship with our children, even adult children, must be a priority. The price for this investment may require a radical change in careers, putting down the phone, pausing social media, or actually spending time talking with your kids.

If we want good leadership in the future, let’s not allow our children to learn by default, by whatever society tells them. Let us act with intentionality to determine what messages are allowed access to our childrens’ hearts and minds. Better yet, let’s examine who and what we allow access to our hearts and minds. It could save us all a lot of heartache in the future.

#parenting
#leadership
#RitesofPassage