I Wanna Be Like You When I Grow Up - Being Marriage Role Models

 

A good friend of mine always says, "I want to be like you when I grow up," even to people way younger than him. All it takes is for him to be inspired by them in one way or the other. They could speak words of wisdom or simply share a fascinating story about themselves. Also, I guess that's his way of encouraging them to keep doing what they are doing.  Most of them however, I know are people he has known for a long time and whose growth in different aspects of life he has witnessed. They are people who have traced paths that carry valuable life lessons anyone can follow. Their steps taken draft a blueprint for others to build with. They are role models looked up to.

I recently watched a two-part series from my fav, Bishop T.D Jakes, called 'Model Homes'. So informational and inspiring they are. He and his wife talk about how we approach our marriages and handle our homes based on what was modelled before us in our childhood. And also, how important it is to present the right model to our kids as they grow up, for their sake. I loved them, and they're definitely worth watching again and again. The gems they carry are priceless and timeless. When I watched the first one the first time, it didn't take long for me to be reminded of a moment that I'll never forget, last summer.

My wife and I were two months into our marriage. One sunny afternoon, we were with my uncle/best man and his daughters, my little cousins I share a special bond with. They'd given us a ride home and my beautiful wife and I had requested they leave us a good distance from our home. I knew what she was thinking when she suggested it to me...Yeah... We enjoy our walks. They're a precious thing we hold so dear. They're moments in which we bond and add a stone to the life-long relationship we are building.

A few days later, I received a WhatsApp text from my uncle. It was an attachment. I downloaded it and opened it. It was a picture of Lyse and I, taken from a distance. Surprised, I immediately texted back, "When did you take this?" with a laughing emoji. "The last time we dropped you," he replied shortly after. "Isaro kept looking back and said that she wants her future husband to care about her like you're doing. I stopped, looked back and took this pic from far, as you can see."

I was touched..Like WOW! That really meant a lot, and still does because I myself want my cousin to get a husband who'll take care of her like the gem that she is, when the time comes. Even more, it reminded me that people be watching, most especially the younger ones who look up to us. We all know the saying, "Do as I say. Not as I do" just doesn't work. Actions speak way louder than words. There's a challenge that comes with it however; "I need to be consistent with it. What if I stumble or fail at some point?" But how we handle mistakes and failure will also be seen and learned from. The most important thing to remember is that we need to set the right and best example, despite how hard it can be.

Thanks to that pic and text, and my cousin's words, I can't help but stress how seriously I must take being the best role model I should be to my kids, when the time comes. I have to become what I wish them to become in terms of nature, character, behaviour, values, principles, etc. I have to follow Christ even more if I'm to lead and train them to live godly lives. I have to be fully invested in, and intentional about it.

Aware of it or not, we all have role models. Don't you think? We all have that person we want to be like when we grow up. We check out their swag and study their behaviour. We pick up on the way they speak and the cool words they use. We embrace their philosophies and set our minds accordingly. But a time in life comes when whatever we do is no longer just for us. A time comes when we have those around us to think about. A time comes when our decisions, our lifestyles and again...our actions affect them as well, positively or negatively. A time comes when our influence grows and is taken notice of. How we use it is the question.

May God help us be the best, unique role models He created us to be!