We can all learn and lead by example

"You are our epistles written on our hearts known and read of all men."

-2 Corinthians 3:2-3

As she waded through the mountain of clothes, tripping over shoes and other personal belongings, my niece complained her 12-year-old twins' bedroom was an unsightly mess. She realized that was why the girls could never find what they were looking for.

When she confided in her mother, her mother told her to not only tell them what to do, but make sure she sets an example.

In life, we have so many opportunities to set an example simply by the way we live. A lot can be revealed about a person's character just by observing what they do.

From a young age, we can be affected by what we observe others doing. I recall my mother being a good housekeeper often vacuuming or washing floors, and dusting furniture. After every meal you could watch the soap bubbles float in the dish pan as she stacked the plates and gently placed them in the sudsy water and rubbed them until they were squeaky clean. Observing this helped shape my understanding for cleaning up around me.

I have special memories of the kindness and creativity some of my teachers displayed. One of my favorite ones would have us stand up between each subject and raise our hands above our heads to stretch our tired muscles. I really enjoyed the gold or red stars she stuck on our papers for a job well done. Each day, her lips were covered in bright red lipstick to show off her kind smile. This shaped my creative thinking that things could be done differently.

No matter where we are in our life's journey, there are so many ways we can be good examples to others. Starting at home we can help with chores, read a story, and listen when a family member is upset. When we were in our early teens, each Saturday my father would drop my sister and I off at the local laundromat where we would wash the clothes for the family. This taught us a sense of responsibility and to help with household chores. Nowadays, teens can be taught to use the household washer and dryer.

Out in the community we set an example at the store when we thank the workers, are polite to another by offering to let them go ahead of us in line or simply smile often.

At work we can do our job with excellence, and stick with our task to complete it. We can arrive on time and we can stretch our abilities to do extra when needed.

In most of our lives we can think of countless small simple ways to set a positive example.

The apostle Paul explained as Christians we need to be example setters for Christ. He described us as being "living epistles" read by others, meaning they can see the scriptures put into our practical lives. They observe us helping others and doing our tasks to the best of our ability and notice something unique and different about us, and it makes God appealing.

So each day, as we go about our tasks, may we have the joy that God is using us to be his example to others.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.