Children are such natural imitators, born strangers in a world of sights and sounds and feelings and relationships. Their parents their only guide to help them interpret and give meaning to their small worlds.
Watching my own little imitators has got me thinking about such things.
The other night Aron was putting together a new dresser. Judah, at only 10 1/2 months old, carefully watched Aron assemble each part and screw it into place.
Within moments he picked up a small allen wrench and began placing it up to each screw-hole doing just what his daddy was doing.
Its an intimidating thought, knowing they're watching so closely.
But then you see them mirroring what is being shown them...
things like joy & laughter,
serving one another & working as a team,
affection & compassion.
Other times you see them modeling your goofier traits, (or in this case, your skibbys)
And in those moments, Aron & I turn to each other, eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and horror. Aron usually says something like, "We are making our kids so weird."
Apparently our kids do too.
Other times you see the kids trying to do just what you do. Both Belle & Judah try to play any musical instrument they can get their hands on...especially if daddy is playing. And Belle loves to write songs.
Or taking care of one another as you take care of them.
Or taking care of one another as you take care of them.
I think it is this way with our Father. We are dearly loved children, born into a spirit world about which we are oh so naive and ignorant. We don't know how to behave, nor do we have a clue how to interpret all that goes on around us. But we watch closely our Father, doing what he does. Knowing that somehow if we value what he values, mirror the love he shows us, give generously as he pours his blessing upon us, love God above all else, bless those who curse us, humble ourselves to be great, die to live...
Maybe, just maybe, we are beginning to learn what the Kingdom of God is all about.
Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.Don't allow love to turn into lust, setting off a downhill slide into sexual promiscuity, filthy practices, or bullying greed. Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don't talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn't fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect. Ephesians 5: 1-4 (The Message)
A fellow imitator,
ejk
3 comments:
Great family moments captured and told, as usual! So sweet to see son so closely watching daddy. Honestly though, this is also a message which was good for me to hear right now...feeling like I have not been the greatest imitator of patience and self-control with my little ones lately. Allowing irritability and tiredness to get the best of me. Already had felt the urge to closely look at this and re-examine my actions...now feeling even more encouraged and spurred on to do so. Wanting nothing more than to be a mirror of Jesus to my children. Thankful that His word promises that He can supply us with everything we need to do so ("divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness..." 2 Peter 1:3 (this was part of my reading/devotional this morning). And not only does He give us this power, we also need to make "every effort" on our part (2 Peter 1:5-6)...it won't come naturally, that's for sure!
Thanks for sharing. Sitting amazed at His faithful and perfect timing each and every day.
Judah's green shoes are pretty sweet.
thank you for your response to my comment erica. isn't it funny how something as simple as a wedding can throw us off kilter at times? beth moore has it right when she says she is just "one step away from worldliness." i can completely relate to this comment! just when i think i have it "pretty much" together, i fall victim to this tragedy over and over again. oh the lessons in humility!
i, too, have been trying to figure out why i have been feeling this way- what has been causing the irritability and acting as a wedge. i think that i have been so prayerful about a certain situation- constantly listening for God's voice- and perhaps while this is all good, He is telling me, take your eyes off yourself and this situation- don't let it consume you and keep looking for ways to be used by Me- to help others- and to keep living and loving through this situation.
while i think He wants us to go to Him in prayer, to yearn and listen for His voice, we too can get so caught up in it all that we fail to notice and act to life that's going on around us (including our children and their need for godly imitators). strange how twisted, backward and intertwined in can all become. thankfully, He knows our intentions and He knows our heart and He keeps pouring out His grace. anyways- always appreciate your comments and encouragement. thank you and good night (it is way past my bedtime!)
P.S. I am certain your wedding efforts will pay off! You could all go in your "skimpy's" and still be the beautiful kirk family that you are! :)
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