Yesterday at church, our assistant pastor was posing for pictures with his four year old son, Samuel.  They had both dressed in matching suits, ties and shirts.  Samuel thinks his daddy is the best thing since jelly donuts.  It was so cute to watch him imitate every move his dad was making.  It made me think of how we should imitate what our heavenly Father does.

They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery.  People imitate what they love and respect.  It is so obvious that Samuel loves his daddy.  What a fine example, Pastor Randy sets; not only for his family, but also for his church family.  Can we hope to aspire to such plains of honor and respect?  I think we can, but most of us won’t care enough to do it.

We as people are carnel in nature and tend try to fulfill our immediate needs, rather than being concerned at how it looks to others.  We continually tell the children to not run and horse play in church, yet they see their parents kick boxing, wrestling and acting crazy in church.  How will the children imitate respect for God’s House if the parents don’t give the right example?

I am considered to be the strictest teacher in our children’s ministry.  I run a tight ship and make no apologies for it.  I believe there is no teaching going on unless the teacher is in control of the class.  I provide many opportunities for positive motivation in the classroom.  I give prizes for good behavior and being good listeners.  I think I can honestly say the kids love me to pieces, and I love just as much.  Many of the students who have moved on to other classes come back and visit me on a regular basis.  I practically get mugged by some children when I walk in the door of the church.

This does not mean that I have perfected the example thing.  But it does prove that I work at it and the children see it in my lifestyle.  I respect God’s house, so they want to do the same.  Sometimes when I say something during class, I can hear them repeating it to their parents after church.  This tells me they really are listening.

Let’s all try better to imitate our Heavenly Father.  What a change we would see.  Children are like little sponges.  They will absorb whatever is put in their path, be it good examples or bad.