Author: Jennifer Patchin
Jennifer has been married to her wonderful husband Kelly for 17 years. Kelly is the Pastor of New Harbor Community Church in Benicia, California. They have 4 wonderful children. Victoria is 16, Blake is 10, Isabel is 7 and Micah is 5. Jennifer has the privilege of being a full time stay at home mom and is home schooling her 3 older children. She has a heart to encourage women as mothers and wives and especially in their relationship with God. She also has a burden for children with special needs and the special needs of their families.
My husband and I recently went on a date to the movies. As we were standing in line for our tickets there was a young couple with a baby in front of us. The man had on
a bright red ball cap that said in big letters I LOVE JESUS. I was encouraged by his bold statement and his shared love for our Savior. They ordered their tickets for a different movie than us and went in.
After we had been seated for a few minutes in the theatre this same couple came in and sat right in front of us. I was a little surprised as I had heard them purchase tickets for a different film. As the evening went on, this couple seemed to be oblivious to the fact that anyone else was in the theatre. They let the baby cry and covered the stroller with a blanket as to pretend we couldn’t hear her. They got up several times going in and out of the theatre. Each time, the man with the I LOVE JESUS cap, would stand up he would put his big puffy jacket on or off which would block both my husbands and mine view for a few seconds. I don’t even remember what movie we saw that night. But I remember this scenario all too well. I was thankful that we were the ones out of the dozen other people in the theatre that were sitting behind them and were most impacted by their behavior. Mostly, I was embarrassed that their actions did not reflect the message that the man wore so boldly on his head. As the lights came up and we exited the theatre I saw that this family had left a huge mess all around where they were sitting. This was one more thing that added to the problem that their actions did not reflect their words.
So as I left a little frustrated with the fact that Jesus’ name was shamed, God quickly brought my thoughts to my own actions. How often do I say boldly to my family that I LOVE JESUS? We talk about Jesus and the Bible and God’s will in our home all the time. I pray with my kids and we do family devotions and service projects. My children hear me talk about Jesus and following his way every day. I boldly wear the imaginary red cap. Yet they also hear me raise my voice and speak harshly. They hear me get easily irritated and show impatience. They hear me speak disrespectfully to their dad. They see me not be as gracious or tender hearted with others as Jesus would have me to be.
Do my actions speak louder than my words?
Do I say one thing but do another?
Do I live like others are watching, namely my children?
Do I put others before myself or are others blinded by my self focus?
Do I just try to cover up my short comings or sin and hope that it will go away, like the crying baby?
Do I leave a trail of destruction behind me with my careless words or lack of concern and respect for others?
Am I distraction for my children that they so clearly see me that they are not seeing Jesus clearly in me?
How about you? You can test yourself too. Think about the red cap upon your head as you go throughout your day. Do your actions match the message you proclaim. If not, don’t take off the hat, change your behavior. That starts with spending time with the only one who can change you from the inside out. As you daily fall in love with Jesus he will help you overcome those things that keep you from living fully for him. Then your outward action will declare what your heart desires to proclaim.
Next week’s author: Sue Jones
Thank you so much for the challenge, Jen. I truly want my actions to speak louder than my words and am convicted when they do not. My prayer is that God's Spirit will continue to work in me and that I will grow to be more and more like Him.