The other morning, I was elbow-deep in dishes, when my son piped up.
“You are what you do, not what you say.”
“Where did you hear that from?”
“I don’t know. It’s just true.”
You are what you do, not what you say.
First off, I love that my son shared this. It is one of the reasons we homeschool in the first place.
So that our children can learn that their actions matter. That they aren’t just a number, a letter grade, a child. They are people. And people with the capacity for real thought, and real action. People who can contribute in real and meaningful ways.
And contribution takes action. Not just thought, not just reading a Facebook feed, or even talking around the kitchen table. At seven, it may mean feeding the rabbits and tidying your room. Or it may mean fundraising to save the ocean. It may mean letting your guest have the bigger piece of cake. But, in so many small ways, actions speak louder than words. Even at seven.
Well, the proclamation got my attention. It sat with me for a few days. And started to convict.
In the course of a day, I make so many promises I don’t keep.
“We’ll finish that lemonade stand we’re building today.” (Ok, it turns out we’re missing some parts).
“I’ll draw you those puppies this afternoon.” (Except that the baby never went down for his nap).
“Yes, we can stay home all day!” (Oops, I forgot about the groceries).
“We’ll read that story, just as soon as I finish the dishes.”
Elbow-deep in dishes, I ponder.
What are my actions saying? Or, more precisely, my inactions? What message are they sending to my children? And what do they say about the person I am?
This week, I hope to finish that lemonade stand, draw that picture and read that story.
Because, I want to be the person that I intend to be. I want my actions to reflect my intentions.
And I want them to say, very loud and clear, “I love you. And I’m listening.”
What actions might speak volumes for you this week? Share in the comments.
