I don’t know why I didn’t realize this when my children were little, maybe I did to a certain extent. But today, now that I am 51 and have an empty nest, I am blessed to interact with “adopted babies” as practice for my own grandchildren someday. I am amazed as I watch these “little things!”
IV, a little one I have adopted, not quite one year old, mimics everything I do. The other night at dinner he was being held by his dad, but looking at Bill and crossing his arms just like Bill! We all saw it and died laughing. It was funny to see a baby mimic an adult and Bill was not even aware of the mimicking at first. Of course, earlier in the day when I was watching him, I would stick out my tongue and make funny faces at him. He shadowed everything I did. It was so funny! I loved every minute of having his full attention and watching him squint his face to work hard at duplicating my actions. I think when my kids were young, I was so green at the parenting thing, and tired at times, I didn’t see all the mimicking or enjoy it as much as I do now! I for sure am much more rested!!!
Point being, if you are young and reading this, babies, kids want to mimic what you do. They learn from us! They are little “sponges” with acute “radars” picking up signals, body language, all actions, everything we do….they are watching and learning and DUPLICATING! We have much to do with shaping who they are and what they do! With this being said…..I thank God for His grace!! I do! I know that I haven’t been the perfect role model. There are things our kids learned from me and I am not at all proud of some of those things!
Thank goodness there is a God who covers our mistakes! Seriously. Now that I am on the Back 9, I have much gratitude to God for areas that He can and will cover, areas I would take back if I could. I do praise Him also for the good things they learned, things I am proud they mimicked.
One thing I am doing on the Back 9 is heeding some very wise advice which was spoken into my life. I was reminded that our young adult kids are still learning, but at a much faster pace because of their age. They never stop watching….they may stop growing physically, but they are always learning and absorbing. I know that to be true because I am 51 and still learning from my parents. With this being said, finishing strong is a STRONG DESIRE that God has placed in my heart. Finishing strong for God and fulfilling His will for my life. Taking all that I have experienced and learned so far and, not making up for lost time, but taking advantage of the time and experience to do more, be more and ‘LIVE A LIFE’ worth duplicating.
I cannot finish strong in my own strength, I’m too weak, but I know this for sure…..”With Christ all things are possible!” We have heard it said, it is not how you start but how you finish! I agree. God gives grace all along the way as we grow, learn and mature…..I believe His desire is for us to “finish the race” He has given each one of us. I also believe and understand James chapter one….which talks about becoming mature and complete…..having perseverance……..We are challenged in 1 Corinthians 9:24 to, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” And, I want to be able to say what the writer of 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Life in Christ requires faith, trust, confession of sin and turning from it. Not perfection, but a desire to be obedient and to grow…..and to RUN….RUN with perseverance…..life can be a fight at times…..but we have a Warrior… a GENERAL…His name is Jesus….He has won the War….He just wants us to fight the battles….some will be wins and some will be losses but overall HE has promised …..WE WILL WIN THE WAR….a life with Christ… is intended to be a marathon of learning, growing, maturing, and VICTORY……don’t lose heart….
Ephesians 6:10-13, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,……Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”