Words & Actions

Our youth pastor preached at our church this morning, & something he said has stayed with me all day. It's something I've heard plenty of times throughout my life, but for some reason, today it really stuck. I don't have an exact quote, but he was talking about how we need to be careful of what we're teaching our kids (& anyone else around us) through our actions. He was talking about how we may say all the right things to our kids, but if we're not living what we say, which message do we think is really getting through to them? My actions speak a lot louder than my words. Even though we don't have children of our own yet, I do want to be a good example to those around me, both kids & peers alike. I'm guilty of not putting a lot of thought into how my actions look to others, assuming that if I say the right words, that's all that matters. And that's so far from the truth. In fact, it's so ridiculous, I don't even like to admit it. I've been a Christian for 26 of my 31 years. I've been in church all of my life. So I know better. Yet I'm still guilty of that line of thinking. Or rather, a lack of thinking. Actually thinking about things like that means my conscience is pricked, & come on, who enjoys that? Well, today, my conscience was pricked, & I'm glad. I don't want to be someone who says the right thing but doesn't live it. I want people to see that my words & my actions are the same, & I want those words & actions to speak only of Christ.