Fueling a Passion
Throughout the day it is not unusual for me to look up from whatever it is I am doing to see six little eyes staring back at me. You can see them observing and making their own conclusions. If mom is reading a book, they return with a book of their own to snuggle up and read. If mom is baking, they return with an apron of their own and start mixing. It is a reminder of how eager my young girls are to “be like mom” and try out my passions to see what they might enjoy.
Several times each week I tie on my running shoes, pack up my girls and head off to train for my latest athletic endeavor. After the birth of my last child, I rekindled my passion for athletics and working out and my girls have been there watching every step of the way. After cheering me on at several races this past year, my six year old inquired as to whether she could run in a race as well. She and my husband ran together in her first one mile race back in October and I remember watching her as she crossed the finish line. She was so proud of herself, and my heart was overwhelmed knowing that it was out of my own passion that she attempted this. She will be running in her fourth race this month and she loves to get her sisters out in the yard to ‘train’. This healthy lifestyle is becoming a passion of her own.
My oldest crossing the finish line
Much like passing on my passion for exercising and competing, I hope I can similarly pass along my passion for following Christ. Looking back at how my girls came to realize how much I love to run and race, I can see it was our daily trips over weeks and months that made the impact. I don’t just talk about running and then compete in a race. I train hard, consistently for a long time. They see me running. Likewise, do they see me praying?Worshipping? Serving? It is through these daily observations that our children can draw conclusions about what is really important to us. Our actions tell of our priorities and our passions. To have the chance to share my passions with my three little girls is a tremendous opportunity. To help them know Christ because of my passion for Him is awesome! What about you?!
This is excellent, Holly!
Love this post, Holly. Good for you for setting not only a good example physically, but more importantly in your spiritual life. I’ve done pretty well in the spiritual realm, but need to ramp up my exercise example. Just started doing that this week! Thanks for the reminder. Blessings!