Our culture bases success on many things. It may be an advanced education, a sprawling home, a good job, a multitude of friends, nice vehicles, frequent vacations, and the list goes on.
While none of these things are wrong, they’re not what truly makes a person successful.
What if we used a different ruler with which to measure? What if we looked within the heart and focused instead on character, integrity, and honor rather than the appearances of seemingly surface items? What if we viewed success through a different lens than what the world teaches us?
What if we, as parents, pulled the following tools from our parenting toolboxes to help our child succeed in life?
* Help them to develop a strong faith.
*Model for them the importance of a vibrant prayer life
*Instill in them to have gratitude, rather than a heart of discontent.
*Teach them the importance of honesty.
*Teach them to have integrity and to do the right thing, even if no one is watching.
* Teach them to stand up for what is right, even if they stand alone.
*Instill in them the importance of doing everything as if doing it for the Lord.
*Teach them to forgive easily and to not hold grudges.
*Instruct them on how to have humility and the maturity to admit when they are wrong.
*Gently remind them often that the world does not revolve around them, but rather, to count others as more important than themselves.
*Be an example of what it is like to show grace to others, especially when it’s undeserved.
*Train them to have a strong work ethic.
*Model for them the importance of keeping your word.
*Teach them the value of inner beauty.
*Model the importance of overlooking an offense.
*Teach them to love their country and to pray for her on a regular basis
We, as parents, have an important role in modeling for and training our children in the things that truly matter. Someday when we are no longer on this earth, we won’t have taken our college degrees, fancy houses, and expensive vehicles with us. But we will have made an impact on the lives of others when our main focus was living for Jesus.
May we, as parents, make it our goal to instruct our children wisely in the things that matter to Him.
Before you go, check out these other posts!
8 things I want my daughters to know
the video camera is always on part 1
how to survive in an out-of-control world
for such a time as this: finding stability in an unstable world
Penny Zeller 
Love reading your posts. Keep up the good work. God blessed you with a voice to be heard. Donna