Over the past several months I have noticed a severe depletion of my t-shirts and socks in their respective drawers. This is the crazy thing; they reappear on Tyler’s body. Sure, they are too big for him, but he doesn’t care. I noticed him wearing my shirts months ago as he was lying in mine and Whitney’s bed.
“Tyler, why do you continue to wear my shirts, my favorite shirts?”
“Dad, they are soooo comfortable. I love them, and I just wanna be like you,” Tyler eloquently exclaimed.
What do you say to that? How do you even begin to respond when your middle school child says “they wanna be like you?”
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:12-17 NIVO)
I hope and pray that is the reason he wants to be just like me, because he sees what I am striving to become. Tyler and I both know this dad has a long way to go.
Who do you wanna be just like? Hang in there. Strive for Jesus, and you can’t go wrong.