Like Father …
By Carlos Santiago
When my son was younger, he loved to follow me around and mimic my every move.
He was especially interested in the way I romanced his mom. He listened to me tell stories about how we met. He watched as we interacted. And whenever I hugged her, he was right there trying to wiggle in between.
I didn’t realize how closely he had been paying attention until one spring afternoon when my then 5-year-old boy walked into the kitchen with his hands hiding behind his back. He marched up to his mother, dropped to one knee, presented a big red tulip he had just cut from our garden, and asked her to marry him.
It was adorable. I knew right then he’d make some girl very happy one day.
When Paul told the Ephesian church to be imitators of God as beloved children (check out Ephesians 5:1), this is the picture that comes to my mind: a son, eyes fixed on his dad, learning and watching his every move.
To be imitators of God, we need to do the same: Study His Word. Stay close to Him through prayer.
When we do, we learn how He operates. Then we can step out courageously and try to follow His example.
Thankfully, we can rely on even more than imitation. Listening and staying in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25), we’re made new within, given hearts with the capacity to obey, love, and long for God at soul-level.
What does it mean to have a Christian home? Read more.
The Good Stuff: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1–2)
Action Points: Pray about one way God loves your spouse that you could imitate in a way that is tangible, touchable, and visual. Conversely, what’s one distinct way your love for your spouse isn’t imitating God’s (Out-of-control anger? Selfishness? Not speaking truth? etc.)?
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