Today's guest blogger is Karen Pickering. Karen is a
Biblical Counselor and founder of The Lytroo Retreat. Lytroo Retreat was created to minister
to women who have been sexually abused. It is an opportunity to
shift your focus from your painful past to a hope filled future. You can read
more about Karen and Lytroo Retreat here.
I broke my ankle two months ago. To say I’ve learned some things is an
understatement. I’ve watched as my five
year old granddaughter, Arianna, mimics my movements. She holds one foot up and hops because I hold
my foot up. She puts her foot on a
pillow because I put my foot on a pillow.
When I started doing exercises to strengthen my muscles she got down on
the floor and did them with me. Saturday
when my husband took us to town she insisted on wearing one boot and one shoe
so she could be just like me. I’ve
started doing some walking without the crutches and I have a peculiar
gait. Later in the day I noticed Arianna
was walking just the same. The more we
are together the more she acts like I act.
She has become a disciple of how someone who has a broken ankle behaves. This behavior is not an outgrowth of duty,
but of love.
That’s what a disciple does.
They study the person who they want to emulate and they become like
them, not so much from will power, but from simply being exposed to their
manner of life and ways. The more they
study and watch the more they become like them.
How else is Arianna acting like me?
It is my
habit to study and read my Bible before I get out of bed in the morning. Arianna will often join me there with her own
books in tow. (This is a good thing.)
I love chocolate. I have to limit how much is in the house or I
would eat too much, too often. Arianna
has that same love of chocolate. (Not
such a good thing.)
It is my habit to thank the Lord before I
eat. One day when I took a bite before doing that Arianna in a disturbed voice scolded, “YOU NEED TO THANK THE
LORD!” (Good thing)
I’m not always patient. When I hear Arianna say, “Oh for
stupid!” I know where she learned
it. (Not a good thing.)
I could go on, but don’t wish to incriminate myself any
further.
Who am I acting like?
What is coming out in my actions because of who or what I have been
studying? Arianna’s watchful imitation
reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew
16:24 “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up
his cross and follow Me.” It also
reminds me of what Paul said in Colossians
3:3 “For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
If I am a disciple of Jesus my life should be wrapped up in
His. I should day by day look to His
interests, not my own. Realizing that true life begins and ends with
Christ. Knowing that there is no real
life without Him and so there is no real sacrifice in living my life for
Him. As I fix my gaze on Him He is
transforming me into His image.
“But we all, with
unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the
Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Karen Pickering moved from North Dakota to
Wisconsin in her 20′s. She is a certified Biblical Counselor with
IABC. She volunteers at the Seed of Hope Center in Hartford and West
Bend, WI and also spent three years as a Hospice volunteer. She is a
wife, mother and grandmother. Her passion is discipleship. Karen is
friendly, caring and reserved with a determined spirit. She has been
known to spend all day at auctions and enjoys music, cooking, travel and a good
cup of tea.
Labels: Guest Blogger- Pickering