Imitation is the Real Deal

Father's Day is coming up and I been thinking about influence today. Specifically, influence on our spouses and children. I have come to the following conclusion based on the words of Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Husbands turn to your wives and say to them, "follow me as I follow Christ." Wives turn to your husbands and say "follow me as I follow Christ." If you do this, your children will follow along without even asking them to do so, it's like kids are designed to do so. I believe the best way to influence our children for the Gospel and for living out the way of faith is to set before them a broken yet grace filled and forgiven life. A life that is determined to continually set an example of what Christ-like love looks like. We need to ask ourselves and answer honestly, "How do we treat each other as spouses?" Do we show love by being accepting, respectful, speaking the truth in love, forgiving and asking for forgiveness and verbalising these traits in front of our kids? Kids are imitators. I remember trying to walk just like my dad did. I remember playing sport just like my dad did. I remember my mum practicing for hours just to play a few songs in the upcoming Sunday service and as a result I would prepare well anytime I did any serving in the church. I remember the ride home after church and listening to my mum talk about her Sunday school class with the teens and thinking I want to be just like her when I grow up. I remember listening to my dad give wise godly council to people who showed up in our house from time to time looking for help and thinking to myself, I want to be just like my dad! I look back now and see in so many ways how my life was shaped by my parents and how without even noticing what I was doing I was simply imitating them in how I lived my life. Paul writes a little bit earlier before in 1 Corinthians 4:16 "Therefore I urge you to imitate me." Kids are master imitators... they parrot what they see, the act out what they are shown, they verbalise what they hear and they internalise attitudes. They are imitators. So let's be conscience of this vital truth as it relates to our marriages and families. God is our helper. He wants us to imitate Christ even more than we do and so has given us His precious Holy Spirit to enable us to do so... God bless us people as we seek to raise Godly, faithful and healthy children in the Lord. Enjoy the journey