Mimic Me- Focus On Your Child (Focus on the Family)

Not too many things can get me out of bed before 6 am on a Saturday morning. Not an earthquake, not a terrorist attack, not even the smell of my wife’s freshly baked biscuits and gravy.

But one particular weekend morning, Angela’s sharp jabs forced me out of my weekend bliss and into my daughter Grace’s room where I was greeted by her toothy grin, outstretched arms and the fresh aroma of a soiled diaper.

Groggily I lifted Grace from the crib and onto her changing table. I spread the essentials before me: a tub of wipes, a fresh diaper, and the all-important bottle of hand sanitizer.

I opened her diaper to view the toxic chemicals innocent little Grace had produced. I breathed through my mouth, reached over, and took care of business.

With the nasty diaper safely sealed in a plastic grocery bag, I grabbed a liberal dollop of sanitizer and vigorously rubbed my hands together.

That’s when I first noticed it.

I looked down at Grace and saw her rubbing her hands in an identical motion. She was smiling as if to say, “Daddy, I can do that, too!”

To my delight and shock, Grace was mimicking me.

The Power of Example
Since that Saturday morning, I’ve noticed Grace copying more and more of my mannerisms. The way I eat, the way I sit, the way I watch football on television. (I’m particularly proud of that last one.)
The child-training experts all said this would happen, but that didn’t lessen the shock and joy of seeing my little daughter mimic me.

Yet her new behavior worries me a little bit.

This is cute right now, but what quirks will she emulate when she gets older?

Will she get upset at the other drivers on the road? Will she get frustrated at Mommy after a hard day’s work? Will she leave her clothes on the floor?

Of all the things we give our kids, nothing is more powerful than our example. What we tell them with our lips may fall on deaf ears, but what we communicate with our actions will always be watched.
Like most Christian parents, I want Grace to know God in a very personal way. But, moments like that Saturday morning reinforce in me a powerful and humble truth: She’ll only do what she sees me do. She’ll only be what I’m willing to be.

Fortunately, I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to be Super-Dad. This is good, because I will fail Grace many, many times. But I do need to get the big things right.

My walk with God must be real. From the earliest days of childhood I remember seeing my Dad early in the morning, spending time in Bible study and prayer. Will this be a visible hallmark of my life or will I opt for the extra half hour of sleep?

My love for my wife should be obvious. Grace will know if I treat Mommy well, beyond the obvious affirmations of love. Do I help her around the house? Do support her dreams and endeavors? Do I respond with compassion when she’s sick, tired, or discouraged?

My reputation in the community should be solid. Do support my pastor at church? Am I known for being honest at work? What do the neighbors say about me?

Whether I like it or not, my life is under the microscope and being examined almost daily by little eyes that don’t lie. So, do I have a choice in the way I live?

I really don’t, because after all, Grace will mimic me.