Be Imitators of God as Beloved Children

Weston the Wonder Boy is our youngest grandchild and in some ways he seems determined to catch the fabulous four that are just ahead of him. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Weston’s growing up and changing even faster than his siblings and his cousins, and that’s saying something. Of course, it’s more likely my grandmother perspective speaking, seeing as how it appears likely that Weston will be the caboose of the group—  barring any surprises.

Weston’s fast forward push through the toddler stage to full throttle boy child is leaving this Keggie determined to document some of those baby traits I know I’ll miss, like the habit he once had of turning the pages of every book we tried to read before I could get a word out and then grunting, “book!” which was easily translated as “Let’s read another one, Keggie!” Weston doesn’t speed read these days. We pick out and identify every object on the page before we turn it.

And then there was the adorable way Weston had not so long ago of mimicking the last word of every sentence spoken to him.

“Weston, I hear Pops!”

“Pops.”

“Want to walk down to the dock.”

“Dock.”

“Want a snack?”

“Snack.”

For the most part, Weston has given up this charming habit.

At some point, most all kids learn that they can needle other kids by mimicking them. But that type of irritation is not what comes to mind when I consider the following verse from Ephesians 5:1, “Therefo­­­­­­re be imitators of God, as beloved children.” I think instead of Weston and his sugar sweet attention to my words and his baby boy desire to repeat me. I believe it’s a more accurate picture of what God is asking, that we would hang on every word that comes from His mouth and repeat them to the world around us. Ready? I’ll go first.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life.”

Your turn!