As I was browsing the boys pants section of Costco an older man stopped me to ask how many kids I had. At that moment I had 3 of our boys with me and that seemed to have caught his attention. I proceeded to tell him that I have 4 sons and a daughter. He thought it was great to see such a big family and that he also raised a large family with 5 kids. We ended up chatting for almost 30 min right there while my kids were busy exploring all the cool things to see in a Costco. I was impressed by how much you can learn about someone you meet for the first time if you take the time to listen and engage. 

During our conversation he kind of joking said something like “You can survive 5 children, I am living proof.” and we had a good laugh together. But as our conversation went on I started to realize something about this man. He didn’t just survive parenting 5 children. It was obvious that he had enjoyed being a parent and was still enjoying it. 

He was not talking as if having a large family was so terribly difficult, he was sharing with me about the many joys that were brought about by (I am sure) so many challenges. There was this one thing that man said to me that really stuck out and I think is worth mentioning again.

“People have a lot of big hopes and dreams for what they want their kids to become but it seems to me that they mostly become copies of yourself.”

I think there is a lot of wisdom in that statement and when I think about being a parent that is trying to practice servant leadership in the home it makes a lot of sense. I see my kids doing a lot of things I do. And honestly many of them are the things I am trying to teach them not to do. Like raise their voice or talk down to people or interrupt someone or just be rude. 
Yep, they probably got that from me. And so if I take that mans words to hart and think that my kids may mostly become copies of myself. I must continue learning what it means to be humble and gracious and kind and slow to get angry and full of compassion and careful with my words and thankful for all I have.