It’s been a real joy to once again have little ones in our home each week. On weekdays, my wife babysits a young brother and sister, Barrett and Ireland.
This means that on weekday mornings, I usually get to hold baby Barrett for about five minutes before I head out to the office… and it might just be the best five minutes of my day. I honestly find it quite therapeutic, as holding a happy little baby is a great way to start the day.
Ireland agrees, as she loves to carry her baby doll around as she follows me carrying Barrett around. This week she told me, “My baby brother is getting so big, and so is my baby doll.” Ireland loves to imitate everything I do with Barrett by doing the same things with her baby doll. She loves to hold her baby, feed her baby, rock her baby, and anything and everything else we do with Barrett. It’s not only cute, it’s natural.
Why? Because children learn by imitation. It’s how they’re wired by their Creator.
IMITATION—A GREAT TOOL FOR PARENTING
The wisest man, Solomon, understood this as well when he told his son in Proverbs 23:26, “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”
He didn’t say: “Son, give me your obedience, respect, or undivided attention.” But instead, give me your heart. And he didn’t force his son to give it, but rather, he asked for it.
And he said, here’s how I’m going to make you want to give it to me… “and let thine eyes observe my ways.” Solomon said, in return for you giving me your heart, I’m going to give my heart and life as an example to follow.
This is similar to what Paul said in the New Testament: “Follow me as I follow Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 4:9)
A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF PARENTING
If we are following after Christ, and our children are following after us, we are naturally going to to lead them to Christ as well. But, especially as they age, this requires more and more that we capture their hearts.
Solomon understood that one of the greatest ways you can give your child your heart and in return have them give you theirs is through your example… This is why he followed up his request for his son’s heart with these words, “and let thine eyes observe my ways.”
Solomon had both positive and negative examples in his past for his son to learn from, as his life story had been laced with some very regrettable things. He wanted his son to not only learn from his good example, but from his bad example as well.
“Learn from the mistakes of others so you don’t have to repeat them yourself.”
However, as a parent, Solomon wanted his son to trust him now to lead him in the right direction for life.
He said: Son, if you want to be successful in life, here’s how to do it… let thine eyes observe my ways.
AN HONEST EVALUATION IN PARENTING
Parents, could we honestly add this statement to the end of everything we want for our children?
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If you want to be financially wise… let thine eyes observe my ways.
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If you want to have God-honoring relationships… let thine eyes observe my ways.
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If you want to learn to forgive… let thine eyes observe my ways.
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If you want to know what it looks like to heal from past hurt… let thine eyes observe my ways.
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If you want to see how to be angry and sin not… let thine eyes observe my ways.
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If you want to experience the joy of serving others… let thine eyes observe my ways.
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If you want to live out the fruit of the Spirit… let thine eyes observe my ways.
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If you want to be a godly parent someday… let thine eyes observe my ways.
I think you get the point. If our children pattern their lives after ours—which is what they’re already doing—will they end up where we want them to be or somewhere far from it? Because whoever or whatever we are following, they too are following in our footsteps.
A BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR PARENTING
One of the best pieces of parenting advice I’ve ever been given to raise godly kids was this, “Look in the mirror. And learn to take care of the person who’s reflection you see. Because that’s the fastest route to becoming the parent your child deserves.”
We are reproducing ourselves, whether for good or for bad. Every day. Every moment. Every choice. Because more than our kids will become what we say, they will become who we are. This is why it is so important that we are more than just good parents, but godly ones. Because godly kids are the result of godly parents.
“Children are the great imitators, so give them something great to imitate.” -Anonymous
Everyday your kids are becoming more of you. Is the ‘you’ that they are becoming the person you want them to be? May this principle of imitation encourage and motivate us to action this week to become the godly parents our kids deserve!
- If you haven’t yet gotten your own copy of my new book, Godly Parenting In An Ungodly World, you can get your copy here. THANK YOU to everyone who helped support the book launch last week. It was a huge success and is going to help so many families!
