There’s a phrase that’s been going around our home lately:
“Your actions show what’s important to you.”
Because it’s not just what you say, but what you do. I find myself saying to the kids:
If you are repentant, you turn from your sin.
If you love someone, you act in a way that is loving.
If you desire to know Christ, spend time with Him.
It’s not just for the kids, though…it’s for me, too.
If I want a clean home, I need to clean it.
If I want meaningful time with my kids, I need to talk and play with them.
If I want to nurture my relationship with my husband, I can shut down the computer for the night and spend time with him.
And so, this week I did. All that.
Rather than talk about all that I wanted for my family and in my home, and complaining about how it’s not the way I hope for it to be, I worked to pursue those desires through action. I showed my kids what is important to me by setting the example. Simple, right? Basic…and yet, what a principle I so often overlook.
This week…
…I cleaned my house and fed my family lavishly. I baked muffins and spent hours talking to my 10 year old about girls and the maze that is middle school emotions. I cleaned up all the toys, socks, scraps, and screws, and chose to bless and not gripe. I used a gentle voice where impatience usually resides, and served my family when I would usually have waited to be served. I embraced the lengthy hours of homeschooling, rather than giving up in mind and attitude. I quieted the noise of the internet and the demands of the phone, and simply showed my family what’s important to me. I did it because I wanted to stop complaining and start serving. More. Better. Sacrificially.
And to my surprise, they followed my lead.
They wanted to put away the mess so it could feel the way Mama made it feel. They complained less and did more. They spoke more kindly and forgave more quickly. They noticed what the family needed more than what they wanted individually.
No one was guilting each other to step it up. We just did. Because someone else was showing us how. When we do it to honor Him, the hands follow the heart.
It’s not that I’ve never served them before. Or that I’ve never cleaned the house or baked muffins. 
It’s not that they always respond faithfully to example. It’s that when I do, and they do–it’s a beautiful thing.
It’s a gift of grace at work. It’s a reminder to not give up, and to press on, to be the action behind what you truly hold dear.
We love because he first loved us. -1 John 4:19
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Reminds me of a verse from one of my wedding songs…”How beautiful when humble hearts give…the fruit of pure lives so that others may live…how beautiful!” Thank you for reminding me that where my treasure is, there my heart (time, love, and attention) will be also. Thank you for the reminder to treasure my family. You are a blessing, Ruth.
Yes! Lori, how quickly I forget sometimes, to invest my treasure where my heart is. Thanks so much for commenting, I’m blessed by your presence here. Have a great weekend!
Ruth, I loved this post. Actions speak louder than words.
This is timely because next week, in the Beals household, we are having a media fast. A yearly, one week, stopping of the noise. I am looking forward to it, and dreading it at the same time, but I know in the end it is good for my family! This post was a good primer to get me into that mindset!
Sarah
I love that you all are taking a media fast…I will look forward to hearing your insights about it! Thanks so much for linking to this post…so honored to be of like mind and heart.
LOVE this post, Ruth! Especially you’re encourage to stop wishing and start working toward the goal …
“Rather than talk about all that I wanted for my family and in my home, and complaining about how it’s not the way I hope for it to be, I worked to pursue those desires through action.”
You are such a gift! Love you mucho! xoxo
oops, I meant “Especially your encouragement …”
I was so excited, I was typing too fast – LOL!
See how jazzed up I get over your posts!
Love you, Kelly…thanks for the encouragement of knowing that we are striving for the same things. You bless me!
Yes and amen. What a great post, Ruth! Thank you!!
Hugs and love to you and your fam, Joy.
Don’t give up… press on. I love this reminder. Thanks.
Thanks, Tereasa!