I don’t know where you are in any of these places, but there is not one person who does not fall under at least one of these. Some of us may not even know who is looking up to us and that makes it even harder. What then are we to do? How are we to act? I just found out my little brother Alex (11 years old) is following what I have done and am doing in places I didn’t think he was. I must say places I didn’t really want him to. For example: my bad attitude towards reading and writing has become very apparent in him as it was and is still in me. This is one place that I have failed as his older brother and role model. It was in a place and way I didn't think was even there. The other things he is doing is dressing like me, getting into the some things like medival times, ancient warfare, my type of movies, and things like that, that I am in to. Now most those things aren’t bad things, but he isn’t following me in any good things such as: deep bible studies, worship music, good manners, being polite or a gentlemen.

Why is it that he only follows things that don’t really matter? Why is it that he isn’t following my life style? I believe that it is because I have always had the same taste in movies, clothes, and history, but there are times when I’m not a gentleman or don't have good manners, or am not polite. I do only listen to worship music when I’m in the car and when I do my bible studies, but not around him and I haven’t always done that. There was a time that, though a Christian, I was not at the same level I am today, and he can remember that. By not staying consistent for 11 years, he is less likely to follow in those things. If I want him to take after me in something I can never do the opposite. Now you’re thinking how in the world can you do 100% the same all the time? And the only thing I can say is, yeah its hard, but to be the teen God wants you to be you MUST stay the same in what you do say and how you act, it only take one thing to mess up years of work. Now don’t get me wrong this may not be for everyone, but it really is for the younger brother or sister. They will want to be just like you, and the way they will do that is if they can remember the way you did something that’s how they will do it. The problem is a bad thing stays in someone’s head longer then a good thing. A bad attitude will have more of an effect on someone then a good one.

I know I know, what can we do and why even try if iI'm messing up one times, it destroys so much. Well I have some good news, but you will have to wait until my next post for it…..

Lol, jking. I’m going to tell you now. The way to make the best impact is to really show them the good habits, like when you have your deep bible study let them know you will be doing that and not to interrupt you. This way you’re not bragging that you’re so Godly, but you’re telling him not to disturb you because you’re doing this and it means a lot to you. You also must show that other things aren’t as  important as this. A big thing will be the way you treat your mom and dad, if you’re always respectful they will pick up in that, but remember that when you’re not it will stay with them longer than being respectful. If you make it a important thing all the time they will see that those are the things that make you, you. But again you must make light of other thing that have no real value.

I again want to say that this will not be an easy thing, in fact it will be one of the hardest things you do. This is not something you can turn off and on; this is something you will be doing all the time even if you don’t want to or if you don’t know you're doing it. The things you do will have lasting effects on the people who look up to you. The thing you must ask yourself is: will you help to show them what God wants or will you let them fall into the path of the world. How can anyone allow younger people how to fall into worldliness? We were let down by the people who should have been there for us, to show us the way God wants us to be. We cannot let those who look to us down in the same way. If we can be the Godly influence in our world we will make a lasting difference. So start living today.