Sunday, July 29, 2012

Monkey See Monkey Do

All kids go through this stage...in fact while there is a definite age where it is more prominent I don't think it ever really goes away. The stage I am referring to is when kids mimic or copy everything they see someone else do. Kate is in this stage.

It is cute when she attempts something that she saw me do, but clearly doesn't really understand. A couple days ago I was aggressively pumping the hand soap dispenser because it was almost empty and I turn around to see Kate attempting the same with the dispenser on her baby shampoo.

Kate is also convinced that the appropriate way to hold a phone to your face is balanced between head and shoulder, not with your hand. (Apparently I multi-task often!)

This stage has deeper implications that go way beyond cute. She's watching.

She's watching me.
She's watching others.

And she's learning. And she's doing.

In 1 Corinthians 4:16 Paul says to the church at Corinth, "Therefore I urge you to imitate me." He also tells the church at Philipi in Philippians 4: 9, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

These verses intimidate me. Do I want to confidently look at my daughter and others who look up to me in faith and say "do as I do?" Well, yes I want to, but I know that with that comes a big responsibility.

I am challenged by my awareness of Kate's awareness. I want to model for her a strong woman, generous with her time and resources, hard working, a positive, joyful attitude, someone in control of her feelings/emotions, respect for her husband, a fear of God...and so much more. (We've come a long way from soap dispensers :))

While it can be intimidating to have a little mimicking monkey, I am also grateful for the accountability that gives me to make myself someone more beautiful in God's sight each day.

Pardon the country song reference below, if you're not a fan, but the following lyrics illustrate the importance of the job we have as parents, when young impressionable eyes are on us all the time.

Artist/Band: Atkins Rodney
Lyrics for Song: Watching You


Drivin’ through town just my boy and me

With a Happy Meal in his booster seat
Knowin’ that he couldn’t have the toy ‘til his nuggets were gone.
A green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath.
His fries went a flyin’, and his orange drink covered his lap
Well, then my four year old said a four letter word
It started with “S” and I was concerned
So I said, “Son, now where’d you learn to talk like that?”

Chorus:

He said, "I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that cool?
I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you.
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we dad?
I want to do everything you do.
So I’ve been watching you."

We got back home and I went to the barn

I bowed my head and I prayed real hard
Said, “Lord, please help me help my stupid self.”
Just this side of bedtime later that night
Turnin’ on my son’s Scooby-Doo nightlight.
He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees.
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
Spoke to God like he was talkin’ to a friend.
And I said, “Son, now where’d you learn to pray like that?”

Chorus:

He said, "I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that cool?
I’m your buckaroo, I want to be like you.
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.
We like fixin’ things and holding momma’s hand
Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we dad?
I want to do everything you do; so I’ve been watching you"

With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug.

Said, “My little bear is growin’ up.”
And he said, “But when I’m big I’ll still know what to do.”

"‘Cause I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that cool?

I’m your buckaroo, I want to be like you.
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.
By then I’ll be strong as superman
We’ll be just alike, hey, won’t we dad
When I can do everything you do.
‘cause I’ve been watchin’ you."
hey yeah
uh huh

Sunday, July 15, 2012

She Cuddled

Before we had kids and when I was pregnant I couldn't wait for all of those moments of snuggling with my little baby.  However, once Kate arrived on the scene I was more than a little disappointed when she demonstrated early on that she wasn't really into cuddling.  She preferred to fall asleep in her carseat or crib than in our arms and was rarely content to just sit with you and snuggle.

A couple weeks ago, Kate woke up from a nap and was OBVIOUSLY not ready to be awake.  I sat down in the rocking chair with her and a few minutes later she was snuggled up in my arms fast asleep.  While an hour long rocking session wasn't really on my agenda for the afternoon I certainly didn't complain about those precious moments of cuddle time that are so rare.

While I rocked I thought about how God must feel.  If I long for those moments with my daughter, how much does our loving Father long for those moments of relationship with us? 

What does cuddling in God's presence look like?
-Reading the Bible is a great place to start
-Praying - talking to God and telling him everything on your heart and mind
-Be thankful and give praise to God for all of your blessings
-Sing praise and worship songs
-Enjoy nature and God's creation
-Etc.

And you know what else, ever since that day, I've had more and more snuggles from my touch-me-not daughter.  Once we get a taste of what it is like to be in the Father's arms, we want to go back more and more because of the peace, love, safety and acceptance we find there.

These song lyrics from How He Loves by David Crowder remind of how God feels about us and what it is like to snuggle in his presence.

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,

Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,

Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don't have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way...

He loves us,

Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.