3 My son, don’t forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commands;
2 for they will bring you
many days, a full life,[a] and well-being.
3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will find favor and high regard
with God and people. (Proverbs 3:1-4 CSB)

There is one thing that gives me a great amount of pride and thankfulness. When I meet someone who has interacted with my children and compliment them on how respectful and kind they are in their interactions.

Yes, there is pride as a parent that part of our jobs were done well. But more importantly to me is the fact that they are building a reputation of favor and high regard with God and man.

There is little in this life that we have real control over. But our reputation is one that is fully in our hands. Some may believe that it can be hard to protect a reputation. However, I look at it differently. If ALL of our actions point toward our our true values, and especially when those reside in Christ, then reputation builds and protects itself.