A Mother’s Daughter “Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter. Thou art thy mother’s daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou art the sister of thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: your mother was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite.” Ezekiel 16.44, 45 Somewhere in my days of formal education I heard one of my teachers say, “Good character is sooner caught than taught.” As a matter of fact, I heard that statement adapted to several situations including habits and lifestyle.
The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu codified the thought as follows: “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
The “catching” of character generally occurs gradually as we move through life. Early influences begin to shape who we are as we learn to respond to our environment, education and other influences. Family, especially parents, has a great impact on the direction a child will choose to go. An authoritative father will offer stability in the child’s life and will model before his daughters the type of man who would be a good prospect for marriage when she begins to date. He will also model for his sons the type of man they should be and how they should live with their wife according to knowledge. (I Peter 3.7)
A daughter “catches” much from parents. She will see in her father a man who exemplifies the type of man she would like to spend her life with, or, possibly a man she would like to avoid. In her mother, she will learn more than cooking skills – she will learn how to pray and leave her burdens with the One who loves her enough to bear her problems in His body to the Cross where He finished His work of reconciliation. (I Peter 2.24)
Unfortunately, children tend to “catch” the weak and bad habits of their parents. Some of the most difficult times I’ve had as a parent occurred when I found myself mirrored in the actions and attitudes of my child. They had picked up the weaknesses of my character and began displaying them openly. In order to aim them in a proper direction, it was vital that I change my ways.
They needed to see that Mom and Dad were not perfect – that we, too, were in need of forgiveness and corrections. We needed to be an example before them of a soul submitted to the leading of our Savior. As a parent, covering sin exhibits to our children an action that leads to a habit that leads to a character flaw and a problematic and non-biblical method of dealing with life’s difficulties. Daughters will tend to “catch” from their mother’s example and sons will tend to “catch” from their father’s example.
The best we have to offer our children are lives dedicated to serving Christ as we live consistent examples in accordance with God’s Word. Our children are more apt to “catch” who we really are than they are to adapt to our teaching. Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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