Lead by Example

We spent this morning at the movies, after our Bible study and spelling test.  Homeschool is still a significant amount of work, but what good is it to homeschool if you can't play hookie occasionally, right?  Besides, the upside is we can do the rest of our work this afternoon (which reminds me... Math time!!!).

We had a wonderful time, minus the extremely crude "humor" in the movie and the fact that mommy got choked TWICE on popcorn.  However, I became extremely saddened as I left the theater.  On almost every aisle that someone sat on, there was a mess.  Please understand, the majority of the patrons this morning were moms and small children.  You expect to see a smidgen of popcorn in the floor.  No... it was more than that.  Almost everyone had left their trash in the seats, floor and cupholders.  Mothers who had picked up those colored booster seats left them laying in the seat and floor.  There was popcorn everywhere. 

As I left, I commented on the mess to the two employees standing at the door, perched and waiting to begin the frenzied cleaning process that I knew was in store.  They weren't surprised, and in fact told me that it can get really, really bad sometimes.  I said "no, you don't understand.  These were adults!!".  They understood - I didn't. 

I turned that inward ... what am I teaching my children?  Sure - math and science are necessary for a diploma and college degree.  There are many exciting things that I will teach them in "the hub".  But, what am I teaching them outside that room?  We took our trash to the trash can as we left this morning, and I didn't have to tell them that was necessary.  They're Wilkerson's - that's the drill.  This was not their first rodeo.  When you leave your seat, you toss your junk.  Simple, right??  I know they've learned that lesson well, but where have I failed them?

I hope that I'm giving them a foundation of treating others the way they want to be treated, but I think I need to go even deeper.  I need to teach them to have grace, love and mercy to those who DON'T treat Lukas and Shelby the way they should.  One day, one or both my children might work at that theater.  Will they do their job with a smile, regardless of how the theater looks?  Will they greet everyone with kindness, even if that person left the mess?  Will they "talk" about those messy Bessy's in the break room, or will they rise above such childish behavior??  Yes, they will -- IF -- I teach them to do today -- by my words AND my actions.  Their life will mimic mine.  Is my life worth mimicking?

My prayer today is that my classroom be more than curriculum and books.  I want to do mistakes, and "I'm sorry", and hugs, and forgiveness, and love.