In Through My Eyes, Tim Tebow talks about a rule his parents
instituted in their home:
My parents decided that, with
three boys around the house who were as competitive as we were, we had to
institute a new rule. I was still young, and they were already concerned about
the bragging that we were doing among ourselves. Here was the rule: we were
forbidden from talking about our own accomplishments, unless asked first by
someone else. If someone specifically asked us how the game went or how we
played, we could answer, but we couldn’t volunteer the information.
He noted their inspiration
for this new rule. It was Proverbs 27:2: “Let another man praise thee, and not
thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” Why does God command us
to refrain from boasting about ourselves? And why should our children also
learn this principle?
First, we can easily fool
ourselves into thinking that our accomplishments are greater than they actually
are. Big mouths turn into big heads, and that only results in disappointment.
Kids should learn that they are not the only ones who have accomplishments. Enjoy
your success, but remember that your feats are not the only ones that matter.
Secondly, no one wants to be
around a braggart. Acquiring this type of reputation is sure to alienate
someone from his friends. Some gifted people lose friends almost as fast as
they build popularity. No matter how great your accomplishments are, the dazzle
eventually wears off and only your personality will matter to others. Let’s
teach our kids character traits that will help them build healthy friendships
throughout life.
Thirdly, talking about
ourselves too much traps us in a self-centered life. We don’t seem to notice
them, or their difficulties. Obviously, we think about what we talk about. If
we talk about ourselves too much, it’s because we think about ourselves too
much. This inward self-centered focus distracts us, and in turn, detracts our
attention from a world of people that God wants us to love, encourage, and
edify.
Fourthly, humble people resemble
Christ. Popular thought may claim that humble people get run over, but, in
reality, pride always ends in destruction. It’s true that humble people will
take their hits, but in the end, they win friends and influence people unlike
their rivals. Egotistical people try to build their own monuments, but humble
people try to build people – who are inspired enough to honor their mentors
with a monument. Christ gave himself, and He changed the world. If anyone could
have bragged, Christ could have. Rather, he served, and the world profited.
Professional athletes who
earn the reputation of humility are a rare type. Frankly, in any profession,
there are not many successful people who are humble. But Christ was humble, and
He was successful. Teach your children to imitate Him.
