"The greatest form of flattery"

Watching little children play can teach us much!  Little children love to play house and to be mommy and daddy to their babies (dolls).  It’s striking how much children act and speak just like their parents; having the same inflection in their voice and similar body posture as the parents they imitate.

In the story of Anne of Green Gables, Anne makes a statement that ‘imitation is the sweetest form of flattery’ and it really is very true! Little children, quite willingly imitate those they know and love.

We see this in Ephesians 5:1-2,  “Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father.  Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins…” TLB   The New King James Version uses the phrase ‘walk in love…’ describing love as active in our choices towards others.  Walking in love means we act like Jesus despite others treatment, empowered by the confidence of God’s love for us.

It’s so obvious that well-loved children are confident in their parent’s love and protection; they trust easily and show a willingness to give to others. They give out of the abundance they have experienced; the more they know of being loved the more they have to give.  

When we walk in love towards people in our family, our neighbourhood and world we give from an internal wellspring in our hearts that was filled through the knowledge of being loved by so great a Saviour.  In following Jesus example of sacrificial love, we imitate His very nature and just like Anne’s quote, “it is the sweetest form of flattery’ to our amazing God! 

Pastor Catherine Randall has been in full time ministry for 22 years.   She has extensive experience in Children's Ministry. Before planting City Centre Church with her husband, she led a dynamic children's ministry with over 150 volunteers that ministered to 350 children between the ages of 0 - 11yrs. Catherine has also taught Childbirth Education and worked as a Doula for 30 years in the city of Saskatoon. Along with co-pastoring City Centre Church in Saskatoon with her husband, she also serves on the team with Women's Journey of Faith.