How a little boy’s admiration for his father reflects our call to put on Christ.
Romans 13:14 — “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
This morning was Read Across America dress-up day—Future Career Day at Bleckley County Elementary School. Liam originally wanted to wear his baseball uniform, but I explained that all of his baseball pants were dirty. Without missing a beat, he changed his mind and said, “Mama, get me one of Daddy’s S & S FAB and Welding shirts, my boots, and Daddy’s hard hat. I will go to school as the owner of the shop.”
Then he added very matter-of-factly that he would be running the lawn care business until his daddy dies. I laughed and gently corrected him.
“How about you take over the business when Daddy is ready to retire, not when he dies?”
“Okay, Mama. That sounds good.”
So this morning, Liam went to school wearing the cleanest neon green S & S FAB and Welding shirt of Chris’ that I could find. Many of Chris’ bright orange shirts carry the marks of long days—grease stains, burn holes, and the evidence of hard work that comes from building something with your own hands day after day. After dressing, Liam placed Chris’ hard hat on top of his freshly washed hair, kissed me goodbye, and headed to BCES with all the hope and possibility of the future ahead of him.
My heart carried the sweetness of that moment. There is something deeply moving about watching a young boy admire his father so completely. In Liam’s eyes, his daddy is the most important and special person in his world. Honestly, I understand why.
I feel much the same way about my husband Chris. Although none of us are perfect, he is one of the most determined and hardest-working men I know—second only to my own daddy. His dedication to our family and to S & S FAB and Welding in Cochran, Georgia, is something I admire deeply. I am honored to be his wife and the mother of his children.
As we continue to raise Liam together over the days, weeks, and years ahead, I pray that Liam will always see his daddy through eyes of love and respect because our family is meant to reflect something even greater.
Scripture Study: Becoming Like the One We Love
Watching Liam want to be like his daddy reminded me of something deeply spiritual. Children naturally imitate the ones they love and admire.
That instinct to follow and to become like someone greater than ourselves is woven into the way God designed us. Scripture calls believers to this same posture—not toward earthly fathers, but toward our Heavenly Father.
Ephesians 5:1 tells us plainly:
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
Notice the language Paul uses: beloved children. We do not imitate God out of obligation or fear. We imitate Him because we belong to Him. In the same way that Liam proudly wore his daddy’s shirt and hard hat today, believers are called to put on the character of Christ.
Colossians 3:12–14 explains it this way:
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving each other… And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Just as Liam put on his father’s work clothes, we are called to put on Christ.
Romans 13:14 says:
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
The Christian life is not simply about believing the right things. It is about allowing the Spirit of God to transform us so that our lives begin to reflect the nature of the Father.
Romans 8:29 explains God’s ultimate purpose for believers:
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
God’s plan is not just to save us. His plan is to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. This transformation happens through prayer, through obedience to the Word, and through the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
2 Corinthians 3:18 describes this process beautifully:
“And we all… are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Day by day, step by step, God is forming His children into the image of His Son.
A Reflection for Parents and Believers
Watching Liam walk into school today dressed like his daddy reminded me of a powerful truth. Children watch everything. They observe how we work, how we speak, how we treat others, and how we live out our faith.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 gives parents this instruction:
“These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…”
Our greatest influence over our children is not simply what we say—it is how we live. At the same time, every believer must ask a deeper question:
Who am I becoming?
Am I reflecting the character of Jesus in my home, in my workplace, and in my community? Or am I allowing the world to shape me instead? The goal of the Christian life is simple but profound: To walk so closely with Jesus that others begin to see His character reflected in us.
A Prayer for Our Family and Yours
Father, I pray that our family continues to grow together and to seek You in all things. Give us discernment as we walk with Jesus and maturity as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Keep our hearts devoted to You so that our lamps are always full of oil, ready for the day when Jesus returns or the day we meet You face to face in Heaven. Lord, make us faithful disciples in a world that desperately needs Your truth. Mark our family for Your purposes and Your service from day to day, week to week, and year to year.
We love You, Father.
We worship You, Jesus.
We honor You, Holy Spirit.
Amen.
A Challenge for Parents
Take a moment this week to consider the example your children see in you each day. Children are always watching. They learn how to love, how to forgive, how to work, and how to follow Jesus by observing the way we live our lives.
Our words matter, but our daily actions often preach the loudest sermon.
Ask yourself:
- Do my children see or hear me praying?
- Do they hear me speak about Jesus with love and reverence?
- Do they see grace, patience, and humility in my everyday responses?
None of us will model Christ perfectly. That is why grace is such a beautiful gift. Yet, each day gives us another opportunity to walk a little closer with Jesus and allow our lives to reflect Him more clearly. As parents, our greatest calling is not simply to raise successful children but to raise disciples who know and love the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6 reminds us:
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
The small, ordinary moments of faith in our homes often become the foundation of a child’s lifelong walk with God.
Closing Thought
This morning Liam proudly walked into school wearing his daddy’s hard hat. My prayer is that as he grows, he will learn to wear something even greater—the character of Christ. As believers, may we all continue learning what it truly means to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and walk in His likeness every day.
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