Who Are Our Role Models?

With Mother's Day fast approaching, my thoughts get a little reflective on just what it is that we will be celebrating.  For me, and I pray most, thoughts of my mother are filled with joy and thankfulness.  She indeed is a fabulous role model. 

A role model is... someone we look up to, enjoy being around, and one whose qualities we would hope to obtain.  More importantly though, a role model should in fact encourage us in our pursuits in life, all the while displaying and teaching us that which is true and noble.  The topic of role models has two avenues of thought....who are my role models and what kind of role model am I?

At first glance I believe it may be easier to contemplate who my role models are, rather than put myself under the microscope and see just what kind of role model that I am.  Being diverse people by nature, it would be highly unlikely that we would each have just one role model.  Chances are, there are several, each of them encouraging us in different facets of life.  My prayer for myself and for you too, is that the people and their qualities that we look up to and allow to influence our thoughts in life, would have the characteristics that line up with the qualities of Christ rather than the world.  How easy is it for celebrities and "do gooders" of the world, to become the people we emulate!  Not that they are necessarily awful role models, the problem is that we do not truly know them.  It is frightening, especially for mothers, to see how easily children get caught up in the latest actor, actress, or singer and desire to become like them, instead of choosing to follow the pathway of Christ likeness.  We need to be so careful when choosing what/who we allow to become our role model.

On to the second thought....what kind of role model am I?  One way to find out would be to ask someone ; )  but a better way would be to ask yourself some questions.  Do I seek to live a life that reflects Christ to others?  Is my attitude towards others uplifting and encouraging?  Am I filled with love for others that spills forth into their lives?  I am sure that there are plenty more ways of putting it, the bottom line is.....do we live lives that reflect Christ?  I know I have good moments and not so good moments, but it is never too late or too early to make a change for the better!

Don't forget to take the time to thank those around you who have truly blessed you by being a great role model.  I will start by saying "Thank you Mom, and Happy Mother's Day weekend!".