Intentional Modeling

Do you ever watch a child walk with their mom or dad?
Even though they have their own gait, there is still similarity in the way they walk.
You can almost tell which parent belongs to which child by watching the way they walk.
It always makes me smile.

They say husbands and wives look alike after a while.
They say that people begin to look like their pets or pets look like their people.
I know that even my own husband would confuse me and my daughters on the phone.
When he would call on the landline, he was not always sure which one of us answered.

Family resemblance.
Even without trying, it is bound to happen.
It is lovely in many ways.
It is very interesting to see yourself in your own children.

I heard something many years ago that I have not forgotten.
I don’t fully agree with the statement, but it always made me ponder.
The only footsteps your child will follow are the ones you thought you covered up.
OUCH!

Having a similar walk is quite fun when it happens.
Having a similar voice can fool many.
Having similar mannerisms can make others smile.
There is always the possibility of imitation that puts our own behavior in the spotlight.

Parents are usually intentional about the way they want to raise their children.
They are careful to monitor what their children see and hear.
They are diligent to take their children to places that are edifying.
Raising children can be challenging in our current culture.

I remember when my oldest daughter was in pre-school.
She apparently told her teacher all about us.
When it was “meet the teacher” night, the pre-school teacher seemed surprised.
She looked at my husband and then she looked at me in bewilderment.

She laughed when she explained her surprise when she saw us.
Your daughter described you both to me, she began.
She said her daddy was much older than her mommy, she said trying not to laugh.
My husband and I are basically the same age, though he is four months older than me.

We couldn’t figure out what our daughter meant until we asked her the next day.
On daddy’s birthday, you always say he is older, she said to me with a serious face.
She’s right!
I always tease my husband about turning the next age before me.

Our daughter remembered my words and took them to heart.
Her innocence was cute and made us laugh.
I remember how proud she was when she learned about initials.
She went through the family, saying the correct initials for everyone.

Everyone except me!
She said my initials were: B.G.
When I asked her about it, she explained.
B.G. is for Babes Gallagher.

She heard my husband call me that term of endearment.
She heard that term more than she heard my name.
She assumed Babe was my first name.
They follow the footsteps you thought you covered up, indeed.

My daughter-in-love sent a video to all of us on Sunday afternoon.
She took the video of my little 16-month-old granddaughter.
The three of them were at their church’s outdoor service.
It was a beautiful fall day.

I could see my sweet little granddaughter standing in front of them.
She was moving to the music.
She was dancing.
She was worshiping.

She put her little hands up in the air.
My heart burst with joy.
This little one is following her mommy and daddy’s footsteps.
She is watching them worship God and learning the importance of going to church.

She does not know the words of the worship songs yet.
She does not understand what it all means.
She will.
By following her mommy and daddy’s example, she is learning about Jesus.

No footsteps covered up here.
Worship is being modeled to her little heart.
She hears worship music in their home.
Her daddy is the drummer in a worship band; her mommy has a wonderful voice.

She is surrounded by so many good things she can copy.
Intentional modeling is happening.
There is already fruit.
There is already a blossom of faith on a tender shoot.

I actually thanked both sets of parents for the way they are raising their little girls.
My own daughter calls her two daughters, her little ladies.
They see their mommy and daddy loving God and worshiping Him.
They are following their example.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Inevitably, some things you wish your child would not say or do, will be said or done.
However, being intentional about their training is vitally important.
As a believer in the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit will help you intentionally model.
That is how our children learn, since they are always watching and listening.