Monkey see...

...monkey do, right?

These days, I feel like I'm living with a mirror.  Even though Addison doesn't really look like me, I "get" to watch myself, in miniature, all day.   Yesterday was a full day of, "oh, woooww.. that's exactly what I just did.." 


First: let's plan our day.  I was jotting down some notes on a notebook in the kitchen. She reached toward me, repeating "Hah-doh, Hah-doh!"  Which, somehow, has come to mean, "Gimme, gimme."  Apparently, she had some notes to take as well. 

"hmm let's see... to do: 1) Lick Aslan, 2) Hide mom's bracelet (still missing), 3) Read 87 books."

Second: lunchtime. She begged for the box as soon as I poured her macaroni, got out the pan, and went ahead and made her own pasta.

Next up: cleaning.  I had a dust cloth over my shoulder while I was vacuuming.  Addie: "Hah-doh!" Please sign "Hah-doh!" Me: "Umm, ok. Here's the dust cloth?  Is that what you want??"  Yes.  Immediately she whipped it over her shoulder, and set out to vacuum.

 

Best for last: unloading the dishwasher.  Usually the dishwasher is a "hands off!" situation, since she'd typically pull out all the utensils and spread them throughout the house.  Today though, I sensed she wanted to actually help, so I let her.  This was big, people!  It was the first time she has helped me with one of my chores, and was LEGITIMATELY HELPFUL! (in light of a previous post on messes, I should give her a shoutout for how well she puts away toys during the cleanup song. definitely helpful, but this felt different since it was my job that she jumped in to help with)

She was so very pleased with herself, and burst out laughing every time she handed me a fork or spoon.  I'm glad I had the camera right there to grab a couple pictures of the process!
 

sadly blurry, but this was after handing me the last one. the "TA-DA!" expression.

As I marvel at her her mimicking my every move, I have to pause and ask myself, Who am I imitating?   

 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us... 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,  

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:1-2, 15-16)  

When she copies me - dancing in the car as we drive, fake-laughing when I laugh on the phone, climbing into the computer chair and trying to use the mouse (yikes.. revealing) - I really should see all this as more than cute (or scary, depending on the action).   

It's more than cute because I now have a constant reminder of how I am to imitate God.  I also have a constant motivator that I as try to "walk wisely," I'm doing so not only for me, but for her.  The only thing worthy of imitation in me are my [feeble] attempts at imitating God (OK, maybe my sweet dance moves in the car are worthwhile, too).  And unfortunately, it works the opposite way, too: she can't imitate what she doesn't see. 

Yes, learning to vacuum and unload the dishwasher are nice.  Oh how I hope she does all those things for me one day!  I also hope she somehow doesn't notice my tendency to worry, or my control-freak nature.  Riiight.  But teaching her to be a hard worker or a calm person aren't the ultimate goals.  Godliness is.  I am reminded more than ever of how much Meredith ought to be imitating her Father, as Addison imitates her mother.  The ways I point her to Christ will be the only things worth copying anyway.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)