Copycat

I like to doodle, and I have a board on Pinterest titled copycat of pictures I have copied into my planner. In childhood, being called a copycat wasn’t a good thing. Having someone copy your every word or movement was annoying! But I’ve seen how copying others can be a great way to learn and grow.

While visiting our grandson recently, his father took a little time to sit and chat with him during dinner.  Our son coughed, turning aside and releasing the cough into the back of his hand.  After intently studying what Dada had done, Otto slightly turned his head and coughed into the back of his hand as his father had.  Then he repeated it a couple more times. 

Yes, it was adorable.

Otto is great at imitating others, especially when it comes to his Mama and Dada. He wants to act like them.

Sarah Young, writer of Jesus Calling, Finding Peace in His Presence, a 365-day devotional, says, ‘Faith like a child doesn’t understand everything but obeys and is blessed, loves and adores his Father and wants to be like Him.”

God wants us to know Him as our loving heavenly Father.  Jesus taught His followers to pray as little children when He taught what we now call the Lord’s Prayer.  “Our Father, who art in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9) He calls us to follow Him as little children follow their loving earthly father.

Following Jesus (God) means loving and serving Him and others.  To follow Jesus includes trusting God (Proverbs 3:5-6) and obeying His will (John 14:15). He calls us to continually strive to follow Him wholeheartedly until we get it just right.  The Holy Spirit helps us (John 14:16-17), so that, when the world looks at us, they start to see a perfect imitation of their Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Not for our glory, but for His.