Imitate

Imitate

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

“WHERE ARE YOUR GLASSES?” my friend Molly asked her four-year-old daughter on a recent visit to our home. The little girl shrugged and kept walking past our seats on the deck, turning to follow my daughter Ashlyn down the stairs toward the swing set in the backyard.

“Watch your step,” she called out.

“There’s a railing to hang on to,” I added.

From the bottom of the stairs, the girls’ voices drifted up toward us. Molly could still hear them, and she narrated the scene: “Your daughter is so sweet. Ashlyn just said, ‘There’s a step here,’ and then, ‘Watch out for that big weed.’”

My daughter had overheard the concern Molly and I had for her friend and, without being asked, had stepped in to demonstrate the same care.

Even though I’m a few decades older than my five-year-old, her sweetness toward her friend is a good reminder of the power of imitation. Children are natural imitators. It’s how they discover language and learn social skills, decipher facial expressions and develop gross motor skills. Imitation isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

Just as parents desire their children to imitate them in the best of ways—how they treat others and interact with the world around them—so God desires for us, his children, to imitate him. We can’t imitate his power or glory and we can’t fathom his knowledge, but we can show his love. As his beloved children, reflecting God’s love should be our aim—not just in the words we say but in the actions we take. We can demonstrate mercy, we can freely forgive, and we can help those in need.

Imitation reflects the relationship the child has with their caregiver, as the child seeks positive feedback, attention, and a one-on-one connection. In the same way, when our words and actions reflect the Father’s love, our relationship with him grows. As we model the love of God, we become more and more like him.

Lord, thank you for loving us. Help us to imitate you by showing love to those around us. Amen.

-Kristin

One Good Step: Through your words or actions, intentionally demonstrate God’s love to someone around you.