You Look Just Like ...

Friends in Christ,

The church that Ann and I attend brings us joy and peace – and, sometimes amusement. Like is true with many of you, we sit in the same pew almost every Sunday. We are surrounded by wonderful, friendly people who share our faith.

In the pew in front of us in a family of five – Dad, Mom, and three daughters – stair steps – 8, 12, and 15 years of age. And, as is probably true with some of you, the 12 year old – the middle child – looks exactly – exactly! – like a young version of her mother. Same color and style of hair, some facial characteristics, same nose, same build. And, as you might expect, people stop from time to time and say to her, “Do you know that you look exactly like your mother?” – not something a middle school girl EVER wants to hear.

Several weeks ago – being the middle child – Aubrey came to church wearing a black sweatshirt. When she turned around to sit down, Ann and I – and everyone who sits behind us – read the bold bright white letters: YES, I KNOW I LOOK EXACTLY LIKE MY MOTHER. PLEASE DON’T COMMENT.

Her Mom turned around and said to us, “Don’t you just love kids?”

(1) We do. So does our Father in heaven. When St. John wrote to the Christians in his spiritual care, he assured, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Faith, given through the waters of baptism, enfold us into God’s family. He has named us, called us His own, provides for us, has a place for us in heaven, and watches over us.

What it means, simply is this: You belong!

(2) Yes, we belong; you belong … and the challenge is this: to look like, or at least act like, our Father in heaven. To be spiritual children who make Him proud so that when others see us, they see a reflection of Him. It is what children are expected to do.

But, the reality is that, like earthly children, but we do not always look like or act like our Heavenly Father. St. John continued his letter, “ Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness … no one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.”

Sins in a family? Sins by a family member? Painfully, yes. We disappoint God and each other. We cause hurt. We fail to follow through. We act impulsively and foolishly. We insult, neglect, and abuse. Our words wound. Our deeds bring harm. Our thoughts are unflattering.

Let me show you by lightening the mood: a mother who was trying to provide discipline for her son, directed, "Look at that young man over there; he's sitting quietly, not talking back to his parents, nicely dressed, not misbehaving. You should be like that!" The son looked cooly at his mother and said flatly, "Maybe he has good parents!" Or … Dad asked his son, “May I see your grade card, son. I want to know how you are doing in school.” The son replied, “Sorry, Dad, I don’t have my report card.” “Why not?” Dad asked. “Because,” said the son, “I loaned it to my friend who wanted to scare his parents.”

OK, not what we want to hear. Sometimes not funny. But, spiritually accurate. The goal and expectation is that we will reflect the goodness of our Heavenly Father with our words, deeds, and thoughts. We will exemplify the gifts of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. It is our response to His unconditional love.

(3) The good news is that you belong, and even though we do not always please our Heavenly Father, He never stops loving us – and forgiving us. It is the promise of Easter made possible by the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus when He defeated sin, death, and the devil. St. John concluded, “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins.”

Let’s look from this perspective. George Michael has shared that recently he had an opportunity to be with a young man he had tutored earlier in life. The two had spent large amounts of time together doing a wide variety of things – school work, sports, hikes, sharing burgers at McDonalds. That day they went back to their favorite McDonalds only to have the person at the counter say, “We sure appreciate that you and Dad have come back!” Nate quickly responded, “But He’s not my Dad.” Then, the very next day, George took his nephew Dan to a basketball game. During half-time they went for popcorn and concessions. The woman at the counter said, “Here’s your popcorn and here’s your Dad’s French fries.” Again, George thought, ‘There isn’t that much resemblance.”