The Only Applause That Matters
When you’re raising kids, the days can feel long, but the years seem to fly by, don’t they? One moment we’re rocking them to sleep and teaching them their ABCs, and the next they’re growing into little people with their own unique interests, gifts, and passions. As they begin to chase those passions, the world will try to tempt them to measure their worth by achievements, applause, or trophies which are things that don’t ultimately matter in God’s Kingdom. Instead, I want to raise kids who live for an Audience of One, kids who know how to grow through adversity, keep a grateful heart, and work hard in a way that honors God, whether anyone notices or not. This is the kind of light our kids can bring to a world that desperately needs it now more than ever.
Teach them to Live for an Audience of One
Teaching our kids to live for an Audience of One starts by showing them that every ability they have is a gift from God. He has also given each child unique talents with a purpose and that purpose is to glorify Him! God is the giver of every good thing and He is the reason we can run, jump, and throw. He is the reason we can sing, dance and play. No matter what sport we play or activity we do, the fact that we are able to do those things is a gift from God. When our kids understand this, it shifts the focus for them. They start to realize that they don’t need to try so hard to impress others because they already have the only approval that matters and that is God’s! They can be reminded that their worth isn’t tied to applause or trophies, it’s secure in the One who gave them those abilities in the first place.
This is also a gentle reminder to help our kids avoid comparison. God didn’t give every child the same mix of gifts and talents and that’s the beauty of His design. Some kids might be amazing at art, others might be great at sports, and another may be really good at making people feel loved and included. Each gift He has given them is on purpose for the exact time and place God has them. Instead of wishing for someone else’s strengths, our children can thank Him by using the gifts He gave them in the best way they can.
1 Corinthians 10:30 reminds us “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” When we have that perspective every baseball game, dance recital, or art project can become an act of worship and a chance to point the applause back to Jesus!
Teach Them To Grow Through Adversity
If our kids are going to live for an Audience of One, they need to know how to keep trusting God when life gets hard. As moms, our natural instinct is to protect our children from pain and discomfort. We want to swoop in, fix the problem, and shield them from anything that feels hard. But sometimes, when we step in too quickly, we may actually rob them of the growth God intends for them. If you think about a baby chick breaking free from its shell, the struggle looks difficult, but it’s necessary for its development. If someone helps the chick to crack the shell, it may not survive because it hasn’t built the strength it needs to live without the shell’s protection. In the same way, our kids need to walk through adversity so they can build resilience, grow in humility, and learn to rely on God.
God never wastes the hard things our kids go through. What looks like a setback in the moment may be the very thing He uses to prepare them for the future He has planned. Whether it’s losing a game, struggling with schoolwork, feeling left out by friends, or falling down while learning something new, these moments build their faith and shape their character. They remind our children that they can always turn to God for help, comfort, and strength.The challenges that feel uncomfortable to them are often the very ones God uses to teach perseverance and dependence on Him.
James 1:2–4 encourages us: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Teach Them to Always Be Grateful
Another concept I believe to be important is teaching our children to always be grateful. Gratitude is more than just remembering to say “thank you.” It’s helping them understand why they should be grateful. A grateful heart helps our kids see the goodness of God, not only in the big and exciting moments but also in those everyday ordinary moments. One small way we can model this is by encouraging them to regularly thank the people around them. Whether that be coaches, teachers, teammates, and even those who serve in unnoticed ways. When they meet a janitor, a cashier, or a server, we can gently encourage them to slow down, make eye contact, and say, “thank you.” Our days wouldn’t run the same without these people, and noticing them teaches our kids compassion and helps them avoid feelings of entitlement. These small acts of gratitude help shape our children to be more aware of God’s goodness and shine His light into the world.
One way this clicked for my son was when I explained that his coaches give up the time and energy from their busy lives to invest in him and his teammates. I explained that they don’t get paid for what they do but they are doing it so the kids can grow and learn, not only in sports but in life too. When he realized that, it became easier for him to see why being grateful is so important.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 reminds us: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” When our kids live with grateful hearts, they reflect God’s joy and become little lights of encouragement in a world that desperately needs it.
Teach Them to Be Hardworking
Hard work is one of the best habits we can help our kids develop. It is not just for their future success but is also a way to honor God. I always remind my kids that it isn’t about being the best, but about giving their best in everything they do. That might look like showing up early or staying late at practice, helping clean up a mess they didn’t make, or stepping in to help someone in need before they even ask. Hard work is not about being in the spotlight, it’s about offering our best as a way to honor God.
I want my kids to know that effort matters even when nobody else notices, because God sees it! Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” This verse helps us keep the focus in the right place. It isn’t about performing for people, it’s about offering our very best to the Lord. Every small act of effort is practice for a life that gives glory to God. When our kids learn to work hard with the right heart, they are building more than skills for the moment. They are also developing character and forming habits that will guide them in every part of their lives. In all of it, their work points back to God as the One they are truly working for.
At the end of the day, our greatest goal shouldn’t be to raise kids who collect trophies or live picture perfect lives, but children who know the One who gave them their gifts and trust Him with everything they do. When they live for an Audience of One, grow through adversity, stay grateful in the everyday moments, and work hard with a heart that honors God, they shine a light that this world desperately needs!