Jen’s Gem: Be a copycat…of God.

Growing up, my father was the smartest man I knew. When I would hear him speak, whether it was about his day or to his colleagues and friends, his words and gestures while he spoke made an impression on me. I was proud to be his daughter and wanted to be just like him. 

I recall a time when I was trying to do just this and it got me in a heap of trouble. A friend of my father’s had come to visit and they were having a conversation in our living room. I was sitting next to my Dad listening and watching. As the discussion went on, I began to imitate my father’s gestures, copying every move within seconds of it happening.
 
When my father saw this, he became angry. The Sicilian old school parent considered my mimicking as disrespectful. My reward for trying to be like my father was being banished to my room. I remember being confused about this punishment but knew enough not to question it. Off I went.

I suspect my father thought I was making fun of him. Quite the contrary! I was trying to look smart and accomplished like he was. Since I’ve no memory of him coming to my room to discuss the rationale for my actions, I didn’t get to tell him.

Perhaps he would’ve been flattered that his youngest daughter (at the time) wanted to copy him. Maybe he would’ve explained why it’s not a good idea to try to be like other people, but rather be yourself. My gut is saying that he would’ve simply reiterated the “respect your elders” mantra and left it at that.

Years ago, trying to be like someone else got me into trouble with my earthly father. However, today, I’m encouraged to do just that.

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.” (Ephesians 5:1 NKJV)

In the verse above, the apostle Paul is instructing the people of Ephesus to do exactly what I was doing – be a copycat! Of course, it’s clear that they were to copy the actions of God, not people. Further along in the chapter, Paul tells them to “learn what is pleasing to God” and to “walk in love.”

But how do we find out what is pleasing to God and how to walk in love? Well, all we need to do is look at someone who did know – Jesus. As God’s Son, He knows all about His Father. He knows what God likes and doesn’t like. He knows which actions will reap rewards and which will harm us.

He shared all of this with the apostles and all those He came in contact with during His time on earth. Some people listened and they were healed. Others didn’t and they walked away.

The same is true today isn’t it?  Some people listen. Some walk away.

There’s only one reason that I’m sitting here writing this blog post. It’s because I chose to listen. I chose to listen to that incessant ‘nudge’ to seek the truth. God saw that my life was a hot mess. He saw the overwhelm, confusion, frustration and He cared so much about me that He reached out His hand from heaven and grabbed me.

He sent a vision of Jesus to me after my divorce to be sure that I knew He had His hand on my life. Jesus words, “I will always take care of you” in that vision hold me to this day.

Now, instead of copying my Dad, I do my best to be a copycat of Jesus. Some days I rock it (sort of!) and others, like this past week, not so much. But it’s okay. God won’t get angry with me like my Dad did. He’s not going to send me to my room. God’s grace and His unending mercy enable me to get up tomorrow and try again.

“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”  (Lamentations 3:22-23)

My mimicking my father got me into trouble when I was young girl. But today, these actions, directed at the right person, have resulted in my being pulled out of the pit into peace. If God did this for me, He will do it for you too. Just as I was proud to be my father’s daughter, I’m proud to be God’s daughter too.

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. This week I’d like to encourage you to be a copycat. Fix your eyes on the One to copy and go for it!