For Lord’s Day, April 12, 2015

Dear Saints,

We had a hearty chuckle yesterday afternoon as I was getting ready to mow the lawn.  Isaac (nearly 2, going on 22), became hilariously excited, making driving motions with his arms and uttering engine noises with his voice to indicate that HE too was going to be cutting the grass!  He hadn’t even seen me get the mower out yet — he just knew what was about to take place watching my ritual of putting on work clothes and boots, and he wanted in!  No doubt about it, Daddio!  Step aside or lead the way!  So we brought out his personal machine of choice to join me in the labor. He was so funny, pushing that little plastic thing all around with purpose and pride (with its and his engine noises mixed with ecstatic, giggly cackles).  Jenn snapped a picture to document the fun.

This little tike’s merry antics reminded me of how much our children observe us and reflect us. They watch and listen and imitate.  It is the way they are wired, and in a covenant home, this is especially priceless if we are purposeful.

Isaac continued to impress his lesson upon me as we had family worship later that evening.  He clung to one of our little, black Scottish Psalters on his highchair tray like a treasured treat, and even though he had it opened upside down, he sang along with gusto (it was at least a joyful noise!).  By our example and patient coaxing, Isaac also has begun to pray his version of “Amen” and to say “Jesus”.  Praise the Lord.

The older children got a kick out of Isaac’s zeal for worship (he insisted on getting his psalter back to hold onto during our readings and discussion, and he pointed to Olivia’s empty chair with great concern for the covenant community as he hollered for her return from “powdering her nose” while we later sang another Psalm).  I told his brother and sisters that their little brother was copying them. He watches their example too, and they must continue to set a good one. It was a reminder for us all to lead this wee lad in the ways of righteousness, for he learns from all we do and say (and all that we do not do and say).  As well, he still likes to fling his arm around and “precent” during the singing of the Psalms, and this of course is his mimicking Mr. Kevin Huffmaster helping us sing in public worship together as Christ’s Church.

Our children do what we teach them by deliberation or default.  We are their models and they reflect us.  This reality is no different with our own Lord, Jesus Christ, who said:

… Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise … I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:19, 30)

Like Father, like Son.  Beloved, may we copy Jesus. That is, may we too reflect His Heavenly Father and Our Father Which art in heaven.  And thus, may we teach our children well (young and older), for they always reflect us.

Semper Reformanda,

Pastor Grant