This last Sunday morning Brian and I spoke about foster parenting to a class at a large local church. When we went to pick up the kids we got separated and I had to ask a lady if she saw Brian pass by that way. She asked me what he looked like. I wasn’t sure how to answer, then showed her our infant son Joel and said, “Like this, but in his thirties.” She said, “Oh yeah, he’s that way.” So I guess there are perks to having biological kids.
Biology may make us look like our parents, but it’s the way we carry on the important values of our parents that truly communicates who is our family. Although our older three children aren’t biologically related to us, they are no less our kids. I remember when Josh was just two and he saw me set his baby brother’s bottle on the coffee table. He picked it up, put a coaster underneath and in a perfect imitation of his father said, “Water on wood is not good.” This boy is clearly his father’s child.
I know just like my infant son bares the image of his father, I was made in the image of my heavenly father. It’s a mystery to me that something about who I am reflects who He is. Although I falter and fail Him, I continue to be his child because not only am I made in his image, but He has chosen me. I want to show that I’m part of His family by loving just like my father does. When I act in ways that reflect His values, His goodness, and His glory, that’s when it becomes easier for those around me to see the family resemblance.