We’ve spent a lot of time during this very hot week in the pool. The fourth of July, Saturday and Sunday evening the pool was the most popular place at our house. Sunday the water reached 90 degrees, which felt great.

Liam is two years old and he started jumping in the water from the side of the pool, then the diving board, this week. If others can do, he thinks he can as well. (Yes, he’s wearing a life jacket and closely supervised). Sunday evening he made sure some older boys in the neighborhood were watching as he did it…showing off. When his head cleared the water, he looked in their direction and smiled. He loves the water…or “wa wa” as he calls it.

Little kids love to mimic others. That is what Liam’s been doing. We took him to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia the other day and he started mimicking the parakeets. He’s still doing it.

Young kids aren’t the only ones who mimic others. Teenagers do it. Adults do it. Sometimes we mimic good things that other people do and other times we mimic bad things they do. As believers, we are to follow the example of Christ. We are also to follow the example of dedicated, mature, godly Christians. Unfortunately we sometimes follow the example of people who are not believers.

If you want to grow as a Christian and bring honor to Jesus, whom you mimic matters…a lot. Whose example are you following in life? Who is your Christian mentor?

Pastor Steve Hogg