Just Like You

(This post was written by Michael Wallace, High School Pastor)

When I was a little boy my family listened to a lot of “Phillips, Craig & Dean” music.  A lot.  Like, I could probably recite their whole catalogue without breaking a sweat.  And we saw them in concert.  A lot.  I knew their jokes and could predict their stage transitions.  I could have joined their tour and changed the act to “PCD & some random kid from North Carolina.”

Ok, I may exaggerate a bit, but we were really into their music.  While they have had many hit songs, there is one that stands out in my mind every time I remember them.  The lyrics are as follows:

“Lord, I want to be just like You ‘cause he wants to be just like me.  I want to be a holy example for his innocent eyes to see.  Help me be a living Bible, Lord that my little boy can read.   I want to be just like You ‘cause he wants to be like me.”

As a kid I didn’t think much of it, but now as a parent I am rocked by the reality of this message.  I see so much of my life reflected in my 3 year old son Colt.  Sometimes it scares me to think of how I may be misrepresenting to him what it looks like to follow Christ.  He sees my failures and my frustrations.  He’s around for the times when I lose my cool.  No matter how many times I get it right, he is acutely aware of the fact that I make mistakes.

I’m so thankful that my dad took his impact seriously.  He was very intentional with my brother and I to show us what it was to be a man who follows Christ.  I wanted, and still want, to be like Him, and the best way that I can repay him for his representation of Jesus is to follow suit with my son.  Our kids are constantly watching.  What is your example teaching them?  Who are you leading them to follow?