A while back, my grandson, River, stayed in the sanctuary for our church service during the morning message. River was 8 years old at the time. He just turned 9 yesterday. Normally, the children are dismissed from our service right after the music to participate in their own ministry time called Kids Creek. For whatever reason, River wanted to stay out with the adults.
He chose to sit in an aisle seat in the front row to the preacher’s right. I was the preacher. Whenever River has been in a service when I’m preaching, I’ve noticed he usually pays fairly close attention and listens well. It’s not unusual for him to ask me a question afterward regarding something about the message. Sometimes he doesn’t have a question, he just has commentary to add.
On this particular morning, as he was listening very intently, he was continually moving his hands and arms. His motions reminded me of someone using sign language, except the movements seemed much more random. Also, the movements were wider, if that makes sense. Since he doesn’t know sign language, I knew he was up to something else. He would at times spread his arms wide open. Sometimes using one hand. Sometimes motioning with both.
Because of where he was seated, this was becoming very distracting to me the longer I spoke. I don’t know if his movement was bothering other people or not. But it was causing me to lose my train of thought. Finally, I was so distracted, that I had to stop. I looked at River and asked, “What in the world are you doing?” I discovered…
He was mimicking my hand movements!
First of all, I didn’t realize I used so much hand motion. But then think about this. Kids are watching us, listening to us and more than we know, and sometimes to our trepidation, imitating us. Whether we know it or not! Of course, this begs a couple of questions, ‘What are they seeing and what are they hearing?’
The Apostle Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) Some might think Paul was saying he was perfect. But he didn’t go that far. In fact, in Philippians 3:12, he said he wasn’t perfect. What Paul is simply saying is that Jesus is the example to follow. Paul was trying to model Jesus. So he calls on those reading his letter to think like he thinks because he wants to always think as Jesus thinks.
One important thing to notice is that Paul is aware that people, not just children, imitate other people. So Paul says, if you’re going to imitate someone, imitate me because I’m imitating the Best of the best.
I’m certainly aware that others imitate me. I noticed early in my ministry that when I would call on someone to pray, they often sounded like me praying. I don’t have the market cornered on praying, but I became acutely aware of how close some people are listening and then imitating.
I need to admit that my examples have not always been in line with Jesus’ example. I think of times when I’ve gotten upset with other drivers. I’ve had to confess my failures and learn to love my fellow drivers as myself. (However, I’m still amazed there is such a minority of us behind the wheel who know how to drive).
We all fail. None of us are perfect. But even those failures can help us provide a good example. If those kids watching, hear us admit we were wrong. If they hear us say “I’m sorry”. If they see us making amends for our wrong actions. Then even our failures provide a worthy example.
So, along with me, please give this some thought. Do our children and grandchildren witness us having love for our neighbor? Or do they hear us complaining about them? Maybe even hearing us spew hate for our neighbor? Those kids are listening and watching closer than we realize.
Are we great examples of worry, or are we people of faith?
What kind of selfless actions do they see? Are we being selfless or is it always all about me?
Many years ago I remember often seeing this one anti-smoking commercial. In the ad, a father and son were sitting on the ground with their backs leaning against a big tree. The father lit up a cigarette. The little boy sat there imitating him by pretending to be smoking a cigarette. I know that commercial didn’t resonate with a lot of fathers, but it did with me. I want to be a father, and now a grandfather, known for being an example of good things that benefit my children and grandchildren, as well as benefit those around them. I hope I’ll be remembered someday for what I taught and, just as important, for what I didn’t teach.
I wonder if River will someday become a preacher or, maybe a public speaker in some industry? Someone might comment on how he uses his hands to emphasize his points. And River will say, “Yeah, I learned that by imitating my Papa.” For sure there could be worse things to teach a child.
