This is a challenging and vital topic. We strive to teach our children to be kind, use their manners, help those in need, be good friends, and so on. At times, this can seem futile because the “cancel culture” world we live in says otherwise.

The world tells us we should climb the ladder of success no matter who we step on or what lines we have to cross to get there. Jesus tells us to be the salt and the light: To humble ourselves, to serve, to treat others fairly, be kind, and love as He loves. This doesn’t mean we have to be a doormat. This means we can choose to be the hands and feet for Jesus in a world that’s full of selfish sinners.

Matthew 5: 13-16 is something I strive to teach our children and live by myself. Although at times, I do fail at it. This is something we are working on memorizing and writing on our hearts.

" You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)

We make thousands of choices every day. The most important for our eternal life: Are we choosing to be the salt, or have we lost our saltiness? I’m not talking about what the world says as slang, “stay salty,” meaning to be annoyed, bitter, or upset over a particular setback or embarrassment. To call someone “salty” is sort of like the southern saying, “Well, bless your heart.” It’s generally used as a less offensive way of saying “I’m annoyed with you, you’re dumb, irritating, or off-putting. In a religious context, being “salty,” referring to the salt of the earth, is a positive trait. It’s a person of great worth and reliability who preserves goodness and adds positivity to humanity.

Asking our children to be the salt and light of the earth can be challenging to fully understand because adults often struggle with this concept themselves. It takes time to develop these skills. Using my saying, “practice makes permanent,” helps our children. However, showing them how to be the salt and light is the ultimate goal. Some ways might include acts of service projects, sitting with widows, preparing a meal for a neighbor, and serving and volunteering opportunities. Actively seeking selfless, not selfish behavior.

It’s up to the child to imitate this behavior or not. Our children seem to have the exact opposite reactions to these listed above. One will love it, the other will tolerate it. We simply say, “It’s ok you don’t enjoy doing this particular thing, but we can still have a good attitude”. This teaches them, even though they don’t always enjoy the task, that the people we are serving appreciate their efforts, and that’s what matters. Usually, once we are done with an act of service, they’re on cloud nine because they’re working for the Lord. The positive impact they made allowed them to see joy on faces and to show the love of Jesus. See, we’re not meant to hide our light. The verse in Matthew mentioned above says that we are a light and we are told to let others see it. Not for our benefit, but for God. We aren’t to boast or be arrogant; we are to be humble servants, quietly doing what God calls us to do.

Will this always go as planned? No. We have times where grumpiness sets in, and everyone is annoyed with each other by the time we arrive to volunteer. That’s real life. Even as adults, things can be overwhelming. Especially for someone who is an introvert. One of our children is, and it becomes difficult. It takes a special kind of patience and tolerance to get an introvert interested in being around a crowd of people. Usually starts with grumpiness and attitude, but ends with a smile and excitement of a job well done. Let’s face it, life is hard, the enemy is out there prowling around looking for someone to devour. When we choose to be a light, the enemy will attack even harder. Using attitude, selfishness, bitterness, or even outright rudeness to his advantage. Writing scripture on your heart to combat the enemy’s attacks is crucial.

I will leave you with this final scripture passage. Philippians 2:1-18, referring to being imitators of Christ and doing all things without grumbling. Two things we say on repeat in our home. Really think on these things, try to memorize these verses, and discuss them often with your children.

Imitating Christ’s Humility

" Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)

Do Everything Without Grumbling

" Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

Philippians 2:12-18 (NIV)