There's A Shoe In My Shoe!

My toddler Daisy is a spit fire! She's funny, energetic, strong willed, opinionated, carefree, and did I mention energetic? All of this wrapped up in her 3 year old little body. For as much as I already see she is her own unique person, I see how she's just like me.

This morning I was picking up the living room when I came across these shoes. Daisy's little shoe in mine. I laughed at first because it surprised me but also, I shouldn't be surprised. She seems obsessed with my shoes. I've even hide them at times. Daisy loves shoes in general, but she is forever trying to walk in mine. Let me pause here... My kids are always trying to walk in my shoes. That's a message you can find 20 different angles to preach on!

As I happened upon my oldest daughter's shoes within my shoes, the first verse that came to me was 1 Corinthians 11:1. "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." The NIV says "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

Daisy is always trying to walk in my shoes, always trying to imitate me, always trying to do what mommy is doing. So what is it that I'm doing? Is my life a reflection of Christ? Will she see me showing compassion? Am I slow to speak and slow to anger? Do I speak words of life and keep a positive attitude? Do I walk out love and not just say "I love you."? Or does she see a hot head; someone who can't control their temper, emotions, and words? What she sees, the good and the bad, are all opportunities for imitation. All of my life is up for grabs. My goal is realistic because I know I'm not perfect. I hope to see in her, more Jesus than the devil as she mimics me!

Moreover, raising kids is hard. Being a parent isn't for the faint of heart. Yet it's possible we should take more responsibility for the bad habits, attitudes, language, or emotions our kids express. Be willing to ask God is this frustration actually a result of imitation. If it is, Lord help me to change and then change my child. Help me to imitate You, walk like You, and give my kids a godly example to follow. Now I descend my soapbox!

This morning God gave me a beautiful and simple illustration. A shoe within a shoe. My daughter's shoe within mine. A depiction of 1 Corinthians 11:1. I also like the NLT version of this verse. It says "And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." Our kids should seek to and be able to imitate us. As a result, we should be aware of where our shoes go and what they do. There are little ones trying to walk in them.