Real-life Role Models

Real-Life Role Models

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17

When I was growing up, my uncles and aunts were a big part of my life. We visited them often in Detroit. We watched movies together, played sports together, and they talked to me all about their jobs, the good aspects and the bad. They took time to interact with me and in the process influenced and enhanced my life. I can’t thank them enough for what they did for me.

So I pass on this advice: think of your extended family often and the important role you have in their lives.

A study by The Barna Group illustrates how key that role may be. The survey asked teenagers to list their role models. The teens were specifically told not to include parents, since it’s often an automatic response, whether it’s true or from a feeling of obligation. A majority of participants named other family members as role models—uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, and grandparents. In fact, family members outnumbered celebrities by a wide margin.^a

Who would you put on your list of role models? And would you be on another family member’s list? All of your siblings, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren are watching you. And listening, too, even if you are not aware of it. They may not take your words to heart yet, but if they’re anything like I was, they are listening to how you approach life, work, and relationships and are filing it away for future reference. I learned so much from my family; their impact on my life was immeasurable.

As you go through today, think of a family member whom you might not have spoken with in a while. Pick up the phone or drop by to see them. Think of some way to connect and then make it happen.

Uncommon Key > You are a role model to your extended family members as well as those you may interact with on a daily or weekly basis. Make a conscious effort to be an active part of their lives as much as you can.

^a “Teen Role Models: Who They Are, Why They Matter,” Barna Group, January 31, 2011, http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/467-teen-role-models.