Daily Devotional for August 8, 2022
Copycats
Brynn tied her hair up in a ponytail. Turning away from the mirror, she bumped into her little sister Chloe. “Mom!” yelled Brynn, grabbing Chloe by the hand and pulling her to the living room. “Chloe’s driving me crazy! Can you keep her with you? She’s like a shadow. She follows me and does everything I do! She’s such a copycat!”
Mom smiled when she saw Chloe. The little girl was standing with one hand on her hip just like her big sister, and her eyes never left Brynn’s face. “You know, Brynn, you should be honored that Chloe wants to be like you,” said Mom. “It shows that she loves you.”
Brynn sighed. “I know, Mom. I love her too, but I’d like to be able to have some time to myself.”
Mom took Chloe’s hand. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s give your sister some privacy.” Relieved, Brynn returned to her room.
That evening during family devotions, Dad read from the fifth chapter of Ephesians. The very first verse said, “Imitate God.”
“Does that remind you of how Chloe imitates you?” Mom asked Brynn.
“Yeah,” said Brynn. “She always wants to follow me. She watches me and tries to do everything I do!”
“Yes,” said Mom, “and this verse says we are to imitate God. We need to follow and copy Jesus.”
Dad nodded. “Children learn by watching adults and imitating their actions, behaviors, and attitudes. Chloe spends a lot of time with you, Brynn, and she does her best to be like you. We need to spend time with Jesus—studying His Word, getting to know Him better, and learning how to be like Him. We need to copy the example He left us.”
“Right,” said Mom, “and He’s also given us His Spirit to help us. The Holy Spirit works to make us more like Jesus, and as we allow Him to guide our thoughts and actions, we can show the love of Jesus to those around us.”
“So, you’re saying we need to be copycats of Jesus?” asked Brynn. She grinned. “If I follow Jesus and Chloe follows me, then I’ll be pointing her to Jesus and His love for her, won’t I? Wow!”
“Wow!” Chloe echoed, grinning at her sister.
-Mary M. Bradford
How about you?
Have you ever had someone copy you? Did a younger child follow you around and say or do the same things you did? The Bible says that’s what we should do as God’s children—we should be copycats of Jesus! We need to imitate His love in our relationships with others. Study God’s Word to become familiar with how He responded to every situation. Then listen to the Holy Spirit as He helps you follow His example.
Thank you for reading this Keys for Kids devotional! Did you enjoy the story? Has Keys for Kids been an encouragement to you and your family? If so, would you please consider supporting Keys For Kids Ministries in our effort to continue to provide these daily devotionals to children around the world?