One quick thought that continues to remind me that others are watching us, especially our children and grandchildren…
I was sitting on the couch in my boxer shorts watching a basketball game, when my then, 6 year old son, Justin, comes into the room. He sees me so he strips down to his underwear and sits by me on the couch. He acted like he knew what was going on with the game so he could be like me.
A few minutes later, Justin looks up at me and says, “Dad, you’re just like God… only bigger!” He was quite serious and it was hard for me not to smile. He had heard about a loving Father God and he saw me, his father, who was loving to him but I had skin on and was “real” to him. Just like God… only bigger.
Of course, I can never live up to that comparison, not even close, but I strive to live like Jesus and when I fail and fall, I hope and pray that my family and friends see my heart and forgive me! I pray that Justin will return to the Jesus who I tried to exemplify for him and I pray that my daughter Amanda, who walking with the Lord today will remain strong also. And now, I have a beautiful 6 year old granddaughter, Afton, and brand new grandson, Kellen, to whom I can be an example of the love of Jesus as well!
Justin’s words to me inspired me to sing the song, “I Wanna be Just Like You.” See the lyrics below and the video link to the song and story as told to the MOPS National Conference (Mothers of Preschoolers).
I Want to be Just Like You – Phillips, Craig & Dean
He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug He calls me Dad and I call him Bub With his faded old pillow and a bear named Pooh He snuggles up close and says, I want to be like you. So I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight Trippin’ over the toys as I turn out the light And I whisper a prayer that someday he’ll see He’s got a father in God ’cause he’s seen Jesus in me.
Chorus:
Lord, I want to be just like You
’Cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example
For his innocent eyes to see.
Help me be a living Bible, Lord
That my little boy can read
I want to be just like You
’Cause he wants to be like me.
Got to admit I’ve got so far to go Make so many mistakes and I’m sure that You know Sometimes it seems no matter how hard I try With all the pressures in life, I just can’t get it all right. But I’m trying so hard to learn from the best Being patient and kind, filled with Your tenderness ’Cause I know that he’ll learn from the things that he sees And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me.
Chorus:
Lord, I want to be just like You
’Cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example
For his innocent eyes to see.
Help me be a living Bible, Lord
That my little boy can read
I want to be just like You
’Cause he wants to be like me.
Bridge:
Right now from where he stands
I may seem mighty tall
But it’s only ’cause I’m learning
From the best Father of them all.
Lord, I want to be just like You
’Cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example
For his innocent eyes to see.
Help me be a living Bible, Lord
That my little boy can read
I want to be just like You.
‘Cause he wants to be like me.
Lord, I want to be just like You
’Cause he wants to be like me.