This sweet photo appeared this week on the Grandparents.com Facebook page. As grandpa umps a ball game, his little grandson imitates what he sees grandpa doing.

So cute!

And so true! Children watch the adults around them and do what they see. Our children and grandchildren imitate us.

Our words.

Our mannerisms.

Our habits.

Our interactions with them and with others.

Our heart for God.

Cute, true, and sobering.

Jesus Must Be Really Special  by Jennie Bishop, illustrated by Amy Wummer (Standard Publishing), tells the story of a little boy who comes to know and love Jesus because of his parents’ example.

“Jesus must be really special, because my mom and dad love him so much.

“I mean, they REALLY love him. I’ve been watching them, and I know!”

Full of gentle humor, making the book fun for both kids and parents to read, the story and whimsical illustrations serve as both examples and thinking points for parents.

How often in a day or a week do your children hear or see you pray–for yourself, for others, for them? How often do they see you with your Bible open? Serving others in the community and at church? How often do you talk with them about problems and solutions and include in your discussion what God has said about it in his Word? How often do you have fun together with your children, and how often do you acknowledge Jesus and his blessings as you play?

When my children were growing up, how I lived this out was inconsistent at best. (Thankfully, God can use whatever we do for ultimate good in our children’s lives. But why not do our very best and make his job a little easier?) That’s partly where the idea for this book came from (when I was working for Standard Publishing). I’m so glad it’s still in print and available to help families everywhere help children see, hear, and “catch” what it means to have a personal desire to know Jesus!

DIANE