Imitation at Its Finest

"Mimi, what are you doing?"...

When my three-year-old nephew comes over, I hear that question ALL the time, ALL day long. It makes me laugh, because he asks it when it's absolutely clear what I'm doing. When I'm washing my hands: "Mimi, what are you doing?" When I'm brushing my hair: "Mimi, what are you doing?" When I'm reading a book: "Mimi, what are you doing?" When I'm watching tv: "Mimi, what are you doing?" I mean it: ALL. Day. Long. To be honest, it can sometimes get a little annoying... But because he's just so darn cute, I shrug it off and answer him.

But here's the catch, after I'll answer him, he'll follow up with this question, "Can I watch you, Mimi?" He asks it as if whatever I'm doing is just the most wonderful thing and he just has to watch. 

Sometimes, he'll even mimic what I'm doing. He'll pick up imaginary soap and rub his hands together; he'll pick up an imaginary brush and "brush" it along his head; he'll put his hands together and "open" them as if they just became a book; or he'll sit down next to me and watch tv, too. 

Today, as I was driving home, I read this verse on a church sign: "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children" (Eph. 5:1 NLT). Because we are God's children and we belong to Him, we must do the things that He would do; we must become like Him. My nephew, because he loves me, wants to do the things I do. 

So maybe we should start asking God, "God, what are you doing?", and see what He responds back to us. But don't forget the follow-up question. Without that question, without the awe of watching Him do His work, then we won't have that motivation to imitate Him as His children. 

Be imitators of God, because we are His children. :]