Copycats

Kevin angrily slammed the kitchen door as he entered the room. Startled, Dad looked up from the table where he was reading the newspaper. "Tell Nate to quit copying me," said Kevin, crossing his arms over his chest. "He's always following me around, and he tries to do everything I do." As Dad put down the paper, Nate rushed into the kitchen. He marched over to his brother and promptly crossed his arms, too. "See what I mean?" complained Kevin as Nate stared up at him.
Dad motioned for Nate to come sit beside him. "Okay, Son," said Dad, "you need to leave your brother alone now." Then Dad looked at Kevin. "Nate copies you because he wants to be like you," said Dad. "Take it as a compliment."
Kevin frowned. "I don't like copycats," he grumbled.
"You don't? Well, the Bible verses I read this morning tell me we should all be copycats," said Dad. He reached over, picked up his Bible, and opened it. "Come here." Dad pulled out the chair on the other side of him. Kevin shuffled over to the table and sat down. "Here," said Dad. "Read Ephesians 5:1 out loud for us."
Kevin took the Bible and looked at the verse Dad indicated. "Therefore be imitators of God, as dear children," he read.
"What do imitators do?" Dad asked. Kevin shrugged. Nate shrugged, too. "They copy," said Dad. "We're to copy God." Dad smiled at the boys. "Nate cares for you, Kevin, and he shows it by wanting to do the same things you do. If we love God, we should show that by copying the way Jesus would behave in various situations and by developing attitudes and actions God wants to see in us."
Kevin scratched his head. Giggling, Nate did the same. Then Kevin gave his brother a quick playful punch on the shoulder. Nate punched back. He squealed as Kevin tackled him, and together they fell to the floor, laughing.
Dad laughed, too. "Enough, boys," he said. "And no more copying Kevin right now, Nate. Leave him alone for a while. Let's just all do our best to copy actions Jesus would take so that whatever we do will please Him."