Do Your Best

'Do Your Best' This is the cubs scout motto. Like many of you out there, I learned this motto as a young man. Now, my son is in cub scouts and I have the privilege of being his den leader. As we sit together and go over the promise, the law and the motto I am mindful of just how good these things are. In my life and lives of my children, I have tried to stress doing your best. I am always sure to add in that it means to do the best you can not necessarily the best of everyone.

We live in a very competitive world where being the best is something we must do. I play basketball. I am not very good. I realize that I will probably never be the best unless everyone else gets the plague. So, all I can do is my best. As long as I do the best I can then I have succeeded.

All of my children have been very successful. They naturally compare themselves to each other. I try to discourage that. I want them to be themselves. OK, let's face it, I do sometimes want to say, "Why can't you be more like your sister?". But then I step back and remember. Jesus wants us to be the best people we can be. We can't all be the same. That is why He is willing to meet us where we are at. He doesn't say, "Once you are good or the best then I will come to you".

Try looking at your children through the loving eyes of Jesus and meet them where they are at. That doesn't mean you can't encourage them along. Just try and love them forward. I think you will be amazed at the results. Only time will tell how well this will work but I can tell you that it is looking good so far.