I just signed up Camille and Rhett for their first season of baseball. As a guy who grew up on a baseball field, I can not wait to watch them play. My kids know this. I’m not the dad who plans on making my kids love baseball or the interests I have BUT I won’t be upset if they follow suit. In my 6 years of being a parent I have quickly learned that my kids are watching. They are like little scientists walking around the house. Observing, studying, experimenting, etc. It’s quite fun and overwhelming at the same time.

I observed and learned a lot of things from watching my parents. Here are 10 things I learned from my parents.

1. Family Matters

My parents worked. My dad had 2 jobs most of my childhood. They worked hard. They served. Served in the church and because of this they were always being pulled in many different directions. Life was never slow. Yet, as busy as life was, they made time for family. No, we didn’t eat at the dinner table every night and discuss our day. No, we didn’t have the same nightly bed time routine. We did spend lots of time with each other though. If my dad had events with the student ministry, he took his boys with him and made us feel like the coolest kids in town. When mom got through with work and helping us with school she would take me outside and throw the ball. We spent time with each other. Vacationed with each other. Created many different memories. Never once did I grow up feeling like an inconvenience or an afterthought. I learned that family matters.

2. Serve

I am thankful I was able to sit under the example of two parents who invested their lives into those around them. Time and time again I watched my parents walk alongside those who were hurting, suffering, etc. and they helped them through. My parents served others.

3. The Strongest Leader Does Not Have To Be the Loudest

My dad was the best leader I ever sat under. He was never the #1 in a church but the man led as though his life and others depended on it. He didn’t allow pride to trip him up. He didn’t allow the insults or obstacles of others to deter him. As a kid I thought my dad deserved to run the world. When I felt like he was overlooked, taken advantage of, dismissed, etc. I would become frustrated. He deserved better. He taught me that leadership doesn’t require the microphone nor does effective leadership require the spotlight. My parents were both remarkably strong leaders.

4. Humor

Have you ever been around my family? We like to laugh with each other and even at each other. My parents allowed laughter to be a part of our family in such a great way. It allowed family trips to be memorable. It provided us the ability to poke fun at each other and laugh about it. My dad thinks he’s super funny even when he is not. Which in its own way, is funny. My parents taught me to laugh and enjoy moments.

5. Marriage Isn’t Perfect but It Is Worth It

My parents have been married for 34 years. I remember growing up and being concerned every time my parents argued. See, my family and friends had all been impacted by divorce. So I equated disagreements as the beginning of divorce. I never believed my parents had a perfect marriage. Perfect meaning “no arguments, mistakes, etc.”. Not because there were glaring marks but because they never tried to save face with us as kids. They loved each other through thick and thin and it happened in the open more often than not. My parents always fought for their marriage and they fought to display a beautiful marriage in front of their 3 rugrats. I remember a time where I disrespected my mom and my dad took me aside to remind me that even though he loved me as his son he loved his wife and would not allow anyone to talk to her that way. It was stern and it was needed.

6. Communication

My parents talked with me about everything and in turn I grew up believing I could talk with them about everything. Nothing was off limits. I never felt like a topic was taboo or a line of thinking was going to land me in hot water. They talked with me and allowed me to talk with them. Even if it was right at bed time and I was just stalling so I could stay up 10 more minutes. They talked.

7. Love All

I never felt like my parents favored one kid or another. Each of us had our own interests and through the years I have watched my parents support and participate in every one. I didn’t appreciate this when I was living at home but as I have become a parent I understand more and more how difficult this can be. My parents created opportunities for us to pursue dreams and callings. They loved their kids and we knew it.

8. Commitment

My parents wouldn’t let me quit things. If I started it I had to finish. No matter what place I might finish. I played on some bad baseball teams when I was younger. I mean real bad. Like, didn’t win a single game for 2 years bad. My parents wouldn’t let me check out early. I had to give it all I had. My parents never quit on things. They called themselves and their kids to understand the need for genuine commitment.

9. Listen

I asked questions all the time. I argued about any and everything. My dad said I should have been a lawyer. If I had a question or if I disagreed with something, my parents listened. They validated my personhood and my developing mind. They never shut me up because they feared I would ask the wrong question or push them in a direction they didn’t have an answer for. They always listened. I cant express how nice it was knowing my parents would listen. I would express some wonderfully deep thought and/or question and they would receive it, uphold it, challenge it, or even correct it. But they listened.

10. Pursue Christ

My parents prayed. One of my favorite memories is waking up around 3AM one morning and finding my dad in his office, on his knees, praying. My mom would pray with me about any and everything. If my stomach hurt, I asked my mom to pray. She had the ear of God on standby. When I was in 4th grade, my dad challenged me to read the book of James and talk with him about it. I read it in one sitting. Then we outlined the whole book. He was instilling in me something substantial. Jesus was worthy of my attention and pursuit. My parents pursued Jesus so that they could be more like JEsus and help their kids do likewise.

When I think about the many things I learned from my parents, most of the lessons were not taught in a seminar they held. It was in their example. In the way they led our household. What a great reminder for parents today. Our kids are watching. What are we teaching them?

These are some things I learned from my parents. What things did your parents teach you??