I Want To Be Just Like YOU

At church today, the message was about how we, as Christians, should live in order to be ready to meet Jesus face-to-face one day. The analogy was that of a wedding: even though the bride knows that her groom loves her for who she is, she still does her best to prepare for her wedding day and shows up at the altar as radiant as can be. She does not show up in a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt, with no makeup and hair undone!

Similarly, we as Christians should live each day in preparation for the 'wedding of the Lamb'. It is the least that we can do --- knowing that He gave up everything in order for us to have eternal life. "For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)" Revelation 19:7b-8 (NIV).

I was thinking --- it would be totally awesome if my children grasp this analogy as well; if they, too, would live each day anticipating the 'wedding of the Lamb' like a bride preparing for her wedding day. I was reminded once again that the only way for my children to learn this lifestyle is for them to see me living it. Again...what an awesome responsibility it is that we have as parents!

I'd like to end today's blog entry with the lyrics to this song, I Want To Be Just Like You. I have these lyrics magnetized to my filing cabinet beside my desk as a reminder for me to strive to be the best role model that I can be for my children. It's a song sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean. The song is from a dad to his son, but I think the lyrics are equally as meaningful and powerful for a mom-to-child relationship. Here it is ---

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"
I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight
Tripping 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

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

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