The Fallen Apple

Posted by & filed under Spiritual.

Apple autumnI think at some time we have all heard the old saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. Other idioms and sayings suggesting the same thing are “Like father, like son”; “Chip off the old block”; and “In his father’s footsteps”. I have never given these quotes much thought until just recently. Basically this refers to the inherent personality of a parent, or even a grandparent, either good or bad, which appear to be inherited by a child. Basically the children will have a tendency to have at least some similarities to one or both parents. This takes our responsibilities as adults and as parents to a higher level than that of merely providing food, clothing and shelter. We are molding the next generation!

As a father of three I am finding myself looking at how my children are growing up; how they are developing and even more importantly, who are they becoming; what to they believe in and what do they stand for? It’s scary when you can begin to see yourself in you child, be it a good trait or one that needless to say you are not proud of. It’s become even more evident now that my first born child is about to turn 20. At times my wife and I believe we are looking in a mirror when we watch him. It’s as though we can watch our own childhoods unfold in front of our eyes. The degree of responsibility we truly possess can almost not be explained at the point they are first born and even if it could be, I am not too sure we would listen! I can honestly say I am forming the opinion that God gives us our children to help US grow up! I know as I am getting older and becoming more aware of “who” I am, I’m tweaking my parenting skills based on this awareness and hopefully having more of a positive impact on my two youngest children who are 10 and 7. I can honestly say I did my best with my oldest but it’s quite an awakening moment when you begin to question “Was your best good enough”?

It is evident in the world that this “fallen apple” can be displayed in many situations; The child that grows up with the same addiction as of one of his parents; A young adult from a broken home having difficulty staying in a healthy relationship himself; Someone struggling with bad financial habits after watching her parents struggle with making wise financial decisions; a young man not being around for his kids, working all the time, after never seeing his own dad. I could go on with this list for what would make up a novel but I  believe you get my point. If our actions as parents are not carefully considered, in specific in the presence of our children, we may find ourselves living in a world of regret.

In the raising and teaching of our children, we must never forget one very important thing; our children are like sponges! They will repeat what they hear and they will do what they see! So they question you have to ask yourself is “are you conscious of the things you are saying around them”? Even more importantly, are you setting a positive and morally sound example to your children, and all kids for that matter, through your actions? I am not sure about you but I had to admit I had some major improvements to make!

Parent praying with child

Some of the things I had to ask myself, and you may want to do the same, are some questions such as this: Do my children see me pray and/or do I pray with them? Do the hear me use vulgar language? Do they see me talk down or degrade my spouse? Do they see me work hard for the things I have? Do they hear me complain about everything and everyone? Do they see me drink alcohol irresponsibly? Do I watch inappropriate television programs, especially in front of them? Do I cheat? Steal? Break the law? Do I take my children to church? Do I spend quality time with them? Do I simply talk with them and more importantly listen to them? Do they witness me disrespect their grandparents (our parents)? Do I hold grudges? Do I get angry and throw tantrums? Do I over-eat? Do I over spend? Am I involved in ministry? Do I do what I say I am going to do? Am I a person of my word?

Again, I could go on for days with a a countless number of questions we should be utilizing to improve ourselves as humans therefore becoming more of what our children need from us! I believe we can take a look in the world today and see a society hurting, struggling, becoming divided and losing its morality! We are turning away from God in many ways and our children are standing by watching; observing; learning! I believe if we are honest with ourselves, we have to take a long, hard stare into the mirror and realize that we are responsible; we are failing our kids and in turn failing our nation, the world and our God!

Let us recommit to our future and our kids; let us be concerned that when that “apple falls” (our children) and they go out into the world on their own, that they are people that we can be proud of and know with all confidence that they will accept the responsibility of this planet and all the people on it transforming the world into what God intended it to be!

12 Responses to “The Fallen Apple”

  1. Carolina HeartStrings

    I am an only child and I only have two children of my own but I have observed in larger families where the children grew up with the same two parents how different each of them can be. I think some are born with a better moral compass than others and not sure why. Maybe the parents are very different from each other and each child models after one particular parent? Not sure but always observing my own two especially being divorced since they were little and my ex and I being very different. Hopefully they will take the best of both 🙂 Kudos for your dedication to YOUR children.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Thanks for the kind comment! I know parenting in todays world can be a challenging thing and can be addressed in a multitude of ways. As long as we improve ourselves and focus on the hearts of our children, I believe they will turn out uniquely fine! Thanks again for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Andrea Stenberg

    It certainly is an amazing journey raising a child. I look at my son and I see some of me, some of my husband and oddly, a whole lot of my sister! They only see each other a few times a year and yet my son is a male version of my sister. Not in appearance as my sister is 5′ nothing and my kid is well over 6′ tall. However, certain personality traits, preferences and mannerisms are all my sister. When it comes to the nature vs nurture debate, I have my feet firmly planted in both camps. I worked really hard to instill empathy and compassion but his brains, curiosity and tenacity are all him.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Well put Andrea! It is incredible how we can see the influences within our children from those in their lives. They maintain their uniqueness but almost as a computer, they possess a lot of the programs we upload into them! Above all, love! Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  3. Charlotte Henley Babb

    I often wonder about my parenting, but my daughter has turned out very well, and I’ll happily claim that apple falling from my tree. I was not an ideal mom, but she managed to learn values anyway.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      I have no doubt Charlotte that you did a GREAT job! It’s only normal that we question how we did, but when we truly give the best of ourselves with love, I’m sure they will have the values they you wish and hope for them! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Amy

    Jeff,
    I’ve read that your children will largely turn out the way you were as a child. If you were hard-working and conscientious, they will be too, or if you were defiant and difficult, they will be, too. I don’t know if I believe this, but I do know that the more time and effort and love that I pour into my own kiddos, the happier (and easier to get along with) they are. We as parents can’t be selfish with our love or our time, or the kids really show it.

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Well put Amy! Like with anything in life, we get out of it what we put into it! Our children without a doubt are at the top of that list! We cannot be selfish with the best of ourselves!
      Thanks so much for the kind words! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Jacqueline House

    Parenting is undoubtedly the hardest job in the world. Sometimes a parent can make all of the best choices and have a child that seems to not make good choices. In those times we have to trust our Father, who must at times feel that we aren’t making very good choices ourselves!

    Reply
  6. Donovan Dreyer

    Hey Jeff,
    It is the most challenging, and for that very reason, the most rewarding experience in life to be a parent. Listening is incredibly important as you mentioned. What a joy it is, when you see the light bulbs go off for them. I firmly believe that we can equip our kids well for the world we have brought them into and not only that, we can ignite their passion to make the world better. You are doing your part! Keep it up!

    Reply
    • Jeff

      Thanks as always Donovan for your affirming words and for sharing your wisdom. The kids are our future and we must make them our priority; it is through the children our world will be healed and the course correction needed in the world will take place! Let’s give them our best. Again thanks so much for stopping in! 🙂

      Reply
  7. AllFind

    Thank you for this post , I really Enjoyed.

    Reply

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