Who’s Your Daddy?
I used to tell my kids, especially during their teenage years, to choose their friends carefully, because friends can determine our destiny. Humans tend to imitate the people with whom they associate.
Viruses are not the only things contagious.
Attitudes and behaviors are contagious too.
Negativity, anger and fear is transferable.
But so is joy, peace, faith and courage.
We’re all prone to imitate the people we spend time with.
Scripture tells us to be imitators of God as dearly loved children (Ephesians 5:1).
Children mimic their parents. Whether we want them to or not! They quietly observe how we treat people. The words we use when speaking about others. The attitudes we have toward those who are different from us.
So much more is caught rather than taught.
And this is exactly how we learn to imitate our heavenly Father; by watching Him. Spending time with Him. Observing His ways and mannerisms. Noticing how He interacts with people when we read scripture. Paying attention to the tone of His voice when He speaks. His generosity when He provides. His goodness when He heals. His gentleness when He disciplines. His grace when He forgives.
He is a good Father who dearly loves His children. And He is the One we are to imitate.
Do you know Him as your good Father who delights in you as His beloved child? Because if you have surrendered yourself to Jesus, that is exactly who you are.
I spent much of my life believing God to be hard and harsh instead of loving and kind. So that was the God I resembled.
What do you believe about your Father?
What you believe about Him is what you will silently and not so silently communicate to your family, your friends and your acquaintances.
When we know Him in truth, as our loving, kind, gentle Father, THAT is what we’ll imitate. That is who we will become. And HE is who we will reveal to those around us.
Thanks, Tammy. Well written truth I need to be reminded of often.
Thank you, Marilyn. I need to be reminded often too
Right! We are influencers whether we have an Instagram/FB/etc account or not. Such a good reminder. I remember when I was at our senior class picnic where I decided to finally try drinking to see what all the hype was about. After downing two very large (Quick Trip Size) vodka and oranges (who knew?!) I got on the bus and bumped into a guy who recognized that I, Rosemarie Barker, was seriously drunk. He said, “You’re the last person I would have thought…” I will never forget that moment in time. I had changed my reflection and my reputation. Ugh! That broke my heart. I desperately repented to God and never did it again. I don’t think having a drink is wrong but I was out to experience drunk – which is not what God exampled for me. Even after all these years, my desire is to look like my Heavenly Dad and I love your reminder and encouragement to stay the course!
Gosh, we’ve all had those moments…and they can feel crushing. SOOOO thankful for His grace and mercies that are new every morning, right?
A kind reminder of what I am striving for! I need a reverse on my emotions a lot of the time! I am seeking calm and quiet, I am a WORK in progress! But praise God he will do His work on me! Thanks for the reminder!
Yes, God is still working on me too, LaRaine! SO thankful for that 🙂