There’s a story that goes like this. After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, “That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I wanted to stay with you guys.”

You can hide and fool a lot of people, but there are two categorical umpires who always make the right call: God and your kids. God knows your hypocrisy because he is omniscient. Your kids know your sins because they live with you.

We were at the final game of my son’s Little League baseball season a couple weeks ago. The umpire was making some pretty bad calls, and it’s not just the poor sport in me talking. In two seasons of baseball, my son struck out once. In this one game alone, he struck out twice. “Mom, I had to swing! He calls a strike even if the pitch is over my head!” I don’t mind bad calls… so long as both teams get ‘em.

So there’s our team’s runner on second, right? He steals third as the catcher fumbles the pitch. A hard throw down to third base, and the third baseman snags it over his head as the runner slides under him. We’re totally safe, right? Wrong. The umpire calls us OUT!?! [For my lady friends—you have to tag the runner when it’s not a force.] The bleachers went wild, and for the rest of the game, I gave the ump some helpful commentary, peppered with game rules when necessary. We lost by one.

Our children are much better observers. When the ball is on the outside, they know it. Then they call you on it. When I warn my 8-year-old about harsh, rash words and then deliver a few myself, I embitter him against me. Better to get off my soapbox than to say one thing and do another.

This is one reason that seculars can raise great kids and Christian parents can sometimes turn out scowling mockers. Hypocrisy breeds bitterness.

Whenever I’m tempted to bask in my self-righteousness, there’s always a kid underfoot who wonders aloud, “Hey Mom, didn’t you say?…” Caught. I thank God for it. In this way, young ones are a measure of God’s grace toward me if I’m meek enough to listen and repent.