What It Means To Be God’s Kid

Tennis feels like home. I’ve played since I was a little kid, spending hours upon hours on the court. Even now, picking up a racquet gives me a spark of joy.

So when my three oldest started tennis lessons together, my heart was so full I thought it might burst. Being back in the tennis club gave me all the feels again, as memories came rushing back to me from my own childhood.

There was a sense of joy and pride I felt watching my kids doing something that I love so much. Not because they were the best, or crushing it on the court (although, for their first day, they weren’t half-bad), but simply because they were doing it.

That’s not to say it was perfect. My 4 year old was too small to reach a ball out of the basket, while my 6 year old couldn’t seem to set her feet in the right direction. But still, they were trying it, giving their best, and to some degree, even doing it! The smiles on their faces and their laughter told me they loved it as much as I do.

Making small talk with another mom watching, I asked her which of the kids on the court were hers. “Oh, I know which of those kids are yours,” was her response, “They look just like you.”

At that moment, God tapped me on the shoulder, almost like he was saying, “Pay attention, that’s how I feel about you.”

If my heart was swelling just watching my kids play a game, how much more the heart of Jesus when I try to do something that He does?

Can you imagine how Jesus feels when you take a risk and pray for someone? When you live generously? When you take extra time to care for widows? Or adopt orphans? Or feed the hungry? Or heal the sick? Or show hospitality? Or bend your schedule and preferences to serve someone else?

There is, of course, a difference between living vicariously through our children and having a holy pride in seeing our kids walk in our healthy habits and ways. It’s not about putting our hope and future in the accomplishments of our kids, but simply being filled with joy when we can spot the family resemblance.

Genesis 1:27 says something profound:

“God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

That means you are created in the image of God. And so am I. I don’t think we let that sink in enough. Being made in the image of God means you already have some of the best qualities of God in you. He’s the one who put them there.

Maybe you are a creator or creative. A leader. A parent. A good steward. A manager who brings order to chaos. A dreamer. A grower of people, places, or things. A caretaker. A builder. A helper. Those are all characteristics of a God who made you. Imagine the pride and joy God has when he sees those parts of you on display.

But it goes even a level deeper. Scripture says that when we choose to follow Jesus, we are adopted into his family. We become His brother or sister. We are given the full rights of the family, becoming heirs to the good promises of God. And when we do what he did, it makes our Father (God) so proud.

Next time you see your kid on the field, observe them at the kitchen table, or listen to them as you put them to bed and notice a little piece of you in them… pause for a second. Pay attention to what happens in your heart.

That delight. That joy. That overwhelming sense of love and pride.

Now imagine your Heavenly Father looking at you.

When you forgive someone even when it’s hard. When you give sacrificially. When you love someone who is difficult. When you bring beauty to your environment. When you bring order to chaos. When you pray for healing. When you make room at your table for someone who needs a place to belong.

Can you imagine the smile on His face?

Not because you’ve earned His love. Not because you’ve performed well enough to make Him proud. But because He sees the family resemblance.

Don’t underestimate the joy you bring your Father simply by being his kid, one who looks and acts like Him.

You were made in His image. You were invited into His family. And you were created to look more and more like Him.

So go do the things your Father does. Love what He loves. Care about what He cares about. Give like He gives. Create like He creates. Forgive like He forgives.

Not to become worthy of being His kid or to earn his approval. Just because it’s what the family does.

And maybe, just maybe, someone watching your life will say, “Oh, I know whose kid you are. You look just like your Father.”