Self Authority

Your Kids Know If You're Full of It

Your thoughts are the words you're choosing not to say.

Do you have a poker face? I don't. There, I said it! I'm probably one of the most authentic people you'll ever meet. You'll never wonder what I'm thinking. You'll never wonder what I'm feeling. Transparency is part of my DNA.

It's really important that I be a person of my word in every way possible. Why? Because my character demands it. Reality, when you get to the place where people can't trust the words coming out of your mouth, you have a serious problem.

The words you speak reveal the level of self-authority you have in your own life. Self-authority is the ability to tell yourself you’re going to do something and actually follow through.

I quickly came to the realization that my children were the clearest reflection of how much follow-through I actually have.

I'll never forget a simple moment at dinner. My daughter needed to take care of something with her car, an oil change, I believe. We were all sitting around the table. Grandparents were there. Her grandpa asked, "Did you take care of that thing with your car?" Then he turned to me and asked, "Did she take care of it?"

I said, “Well, she’s an adult. You know, umm, these girls got it.” It was a lighthearted moment.

And then my mom, who is the best truth-teller of our family, said, "You've always done everything for them. They depend on you." She chuckled when she said it.

At first, I thought, "Did I do too much?" But the more I thought about it, I realized something: I've become so reliable to them that when they get ready to make major decisions in their life, even as adults, they can rely on me. That's not a weakness. That's self-authority modeled over time.

The Word of God tells us to train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). That training isn't just what you say. It's what you do. It's the follow-through they watch day after day.

Out of everything I do in this world, what my daughters say about me says everything. Not what anyone else says. What my daughters say about me says everything. And when they look at me and say, "You're an amazing mom," for me, that's success.

The world says success is what you accomplish for yourself. But what if success is what you model for the people watching you?

Take a moment today and really think about this: where in your life are you consistent, and where do you tend to fall off? This isn’t about guilt or shame, it’s about growth. If you notice an inconsistency, decide today to change that. It’s truly that simple.

Like I said before, you’re not a tree. You can move. Don’t let anyone convince you that you’re stuck or that change isn’t possible. You absolutely can change.

Here’s your gentle reminder: hope still belongs to you. All you have to do is reach for it. His name is Jesus Christ, and He loves you more than anything. And I love you too.

Sincerely, Jackie.