We are so blessed in our congregation with babies and “little people”. Children three and under hold a special place in my heart. 

         I don’t teach them in Bible class anymore. I’ll leave that to the younger women. I have paid my dues in that department; but I love talking to them, playing with them, and sometimes just watching them.

         Lately, one of the three-year olds has been sitting with us during worship. He is a bright little boy, active, happy, and with a smile that makes you want to squeeze him.

         Daniel knows his colors and his shapes; and when he looks at books, he does so with such intensity that you think he is reading. He is just fun to be around.

         As I watch the little people in our congregation, I see them watching us. The song leaders get a lot of attention from the little boys. They watch them and soon start to move their little arms, pretending to lead. Some fold their hands to pray, and they always want to help pass the communion trays. 

         They find great joy in watching for the collection plate and dropping in their dollar or some coins. Sometimes, at least the first time or two, they try to take out the money instead of putting it in.

         Did you ever think that they are imitators of the adults that sit around them or stand before them as we worship? So what do they see? Do they see us singing, bowing our heads and closing our eyes in prayers? Do they see us with open Bibles as we listen to God’s Word being read or discussed? Maybe they see the grown-ups checking their email, looking at Facebook, eating or drinking during the worship, whispering to those around them, or maybe writing notes. 

         Remember that our little people are imitators. They do what we do. 

         There was a time when cigarette ads were popular on television. I remember one of a little boy, about five or six, sitting beside his dad as he pulled out his pack of cigarettes. The little boy tried to copy what his dad was doing. Fortunately, we don’t see those ads any longer.

         I have watched as children pretend to do all kinds of things their parents do. I also hear them imitate the language their parents use. It is not unusual to hear a child using profanity, euphemisms, or even telling dirty stories or jokes. They do what they see and hear. 

         I want to share a story with you. It’s one of Bob’s favorite stories about him and his dad. 

         Many years ago, it was the custom for the men on the front row to kneel when they prayed. Bob was sitting with his dad during the worship service; and when it was time for the prayer, dad knelt beside the pew. Bob knelt by the pew too. When the prayer was over, Bob said to his dad, “I did what you did”. 

         I can almost see the tears in Dad’s eyes as they rose from the kneeling position, and Bob whispered to him. 

         Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (First Corinthians 11:1 ESV). We would do well to follow Paul’s instruction so that those little people that look to us for guidance will have good examples to follow.

Sandra Oliver