Picture a happy childhood memory with a grandparent or other older relative or friend. What made you happy? Why do you remember it? Do you remember the conversation or the activity? Where did it happen? Was it an ordinary experience that you happen to remember or was it out of the ordinary? How could you make a similar happy memory for a child in your life?

Think of some of your favorite teachers or coaches at your school, church, or sports that you liked and admired. Did you have lots or little actual personal interaction with them? Did you see them outside of school, church, or sports? What did you admire about them? Are you striving to develop similar characteristics in your own life for the younger generation to see?
We can’t pick our relatives, but we can chose who we emulate. We can’t rewrite our childhoods, but we can write how we interact with others now. We can pass on the good we have received to the next generation.  There were good people ahead of us on the path of life.  And now there are people behind us on the path of life.  What are we modeling?

There are so many heroes in God’s Book for us to emulate. Some of them we know a lot about and some we don’t even know their names. The older I get, the more I understand why God often called himself “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” in the Old Testament. After all, all three of them did wrong- major wrongs to their families. Despite their sins, God still said they were his. Maybe God wanted to remind generations following that they had a spiritual heritage of men of faith. Flawed like us, but forgiven. Some of us have a family history of parents and grandparents who loved God. This is a precious legacy. But perhaps you don’t have godly forebears. You can be the beginning of a godly legacy by being the best example you can be of faith and love to your children and grandchildren.

All of us need to remain keenly aware that we are being watched. What we do and say influences others, especially the young. So let’s be careful. I have no memory of my grandfather who died when I was a toddler. But my cousin who is a bit older has some vague memories. There is also one very clear memory – not a positive one. Our grandfather spoke harshly to him because he rolled down his car window. Of course, we don’t know the circumstances. Maybe there was a good reason for Grandpa to be irritated. But a little child may only remember a snippet of what transpired and often it’s something that stung his tender heart. So let’s be gentle with the little ones in our lives even when they irritate us.

Our oldest son was a toddler when he became enamored with lawn mowing. Dear Husband would put him on his shoulders while he mowed our lawn. About that time, we bought him a toy lawnmower which immediately became one of his favorite toys. Years later dear Husband bought him a motorcycle- in a basket! Because we were living in a third-world country, most dads used a motorcylce for transportation. Weeks of father/son time was spent on the ‘basket case’ as we affectionately referred to it. Son had an amazing natural gift for and interest in mechanical things, so Dad relished time together passing on some of his knowledge. I know every one of my readers has similar stories of their children imitating them in some way. Now some of us have grandchildren who may also be following our example. What a responsibility we have!

So, we are to act like God- loving in spite of the actions of others.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us. . .” Ephesians 5:1-2

And there are many people in the Bible who are models for us. God calls our attention to Abraham as a good example of faith and endurance.

 ^“And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”  Genesis 15:6

“Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name . . . Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.” Hebrews 6:11-13, 15

Another Bible person of faith was Paul, the New Testament church planter. He mentored several young men who followed in his footsteps of teaching new believers. He wrote to at least two churches admonishing them to imitate his desire to follow Jesus and his way of life. Whew! I don’t think I could say that.

“So I urge you to imitate me. That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.” 1 Corinthians 4:16-17
“For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10

“I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”
1 Corinthians 10:33,11:1

Let’s bear in mind as we begin this new year that others are watching us. Let’s be examples love and faith for them to follow.