Imitators of Christ

Whether we like it or not or whether we take this responsibility or not, we as parents are either imitators of Christ or not. I saw this clearly the other day as one of our kids from our Tuesday night group was having a hard time because we had recieved a notice from the Department of Transportation in regards to a sound wall that was going to be built behind our homes. The note was not clear about what they would do exactly or how that would affect our properties, but it did mention something about relocation.

Our neighbors next door came over to our house that afternoon to ask whether we had recieved the notice and they looked very upset about it. I really had not paid too much attention to it. I just knew that if we were relocated, that the Lord would take care of us. I thought about our Good News Club and how we would be able to continue to do that. I knew that the Lord would work it out. I actually got a little excited too...thinking that we could be free to maybe move to Honduras, since it is something Matt and I have talked about a lot. Later the wife of this couple came and asked me questions in regards to the letter. I did not understand why they were so upset and making such a big deal out of it. I am not sure what they are going through and what their struggles are, but even the kids seemed to be upset about this.

That night we had our Good News Club at our house and as we talked about our verse (Prov 3:5-6), I asked the question about applying this verse in our lives and how we can trust God even when we don't understand. One of the girls mentioned a move, hard situations, etc. The little boy who is six years old was so troubled by what he had heard and perceived from his parent's reaction that he started crying because he said that, "they would take his house and he did not want to lose his friends." We stopped and prayed for him because he seemed to be pretty upset about all this. We reminded him about the verse and told him him that God would take care of him and his family. It was a great verse for the week! God is faithful!

I realized how important our reactions to situations are for our children. They absorb and watch everything and if we are upset or worried, then they will imitate us and do the same. In Ephesians 5:1, Paul says, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children" and then in 1 Corinthians11:1, he repeats, "Be imitators of me, as I imitate Christ."

As parents Matt and I desire to be imitators of Christ as we raise our little girl and future children. We desire to live out His Truth in our lives so that our children will grow up to do the same as they face any kind of circumstances!