Just Like My Dad

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When I was little, I wanted to be just like my Daddy. This may sound like normal behavior, but keep in mind: I am a girl! I wasn’t a tomboy – never desired to do masculine things. I loved to wear flowy dresses and spin around to make my skirts fly, but I wanted to be like my dad. 

I must have looked a bit confused. There I was walking into church in my prettiest dress and my hair as pretty as I could manage at the age of ten. I’d walk behind my dad so I could try to imitate his sauntering stride – no easy task for a little girl to copy the walk of a 6 foot 5 inch man! I’d turn my feet out as I walked, just like Dad. I’d try to take super long steps, just like Dad. In church, I’d try clapping big and loud, just like Dad, switching which hand was on top with each clap. I laugh now at the mental videotape! 

I also acquired a few things from Dad that I’m not so thrilled about like dark circles under my eyes or the scowl that comes across my face when I’m focused. Nevertheless, there’s not a whole lot I can do about those things. No matter what I do, it’s in the genes. No matter how old I get, Dad will always be a part of who I am. In fact, it seems to me, the older I get the more I see similarities popping up – some good; some slightly disturbing! 

First John 3:9 says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.” Cool verse! Even cooler when you realize that the word “seed” here is actually “sperma” in the Greek! Brief reproduction lesson: the sperm/seed carries all of the father’s characteristics and transfers them to each child the father creates. Ergo, because we are children of our Father God, He has transferred to each one of us His own characteristics! We have, within us, the ability to be just like Dad. 

I don’t know about you, but this really excites me! There are several things in my life that I look at and wonder if I’ll ever quit doing wrong. But someday, if I continue to imitate my Abba and yield to His work in me, His characteristics will begin to manifest. It’s bound to happen! Just as I see more of my earthly dad’s characteristics coming out as I mature (a.k.a. get older), I will see more and more of my Abba’s characteristics as I mature. 

So here I am, walking behind Him, taking strides that are much too long and don’t quite fit me yet. But I have faith that one day they will be just like His and a part of who I really am. I can do it. How do I know? I’m His kid. It’s in the genes! 

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.” Ephesians 5:1

For more on letting go of painful memories, read, “Preening the Beast” by clicking HERE!