Teaching Kids Art Through Picture Books

Who was the most influential person in your life, as a mom?

Was it your own mom? An older friend or relative? A teacher?

For me, I was blessed to have my own mom model parenting--not perfectly, but certainly meaningfully. She modeled service to our family and to others. As the pastor’s wife, she was constantly having people over or counseling someone on the phone. She led the PTA. She exuded enthusiasm and joy in life. And, by the way, she loved to read. If the door to the small downstairs room we called 'the den' was closed, we knew she was having a moment to herself to either take a nap or read one of her beloved romance novels!  

As parents, all of us are actually influential leaders. We are pretty unrecognized in the culture, but with or without social media, we are the influencers. Leaders lead. Leaders serve. Leaders model. We are highly influential within our families, hopefully for their good. The best leaders serve those around them. They aren’t flashy or demand the spotlig...