[One more passage from this section of Ephesians. If you're looking for some extra reading, take the last three days as a hint that Ephesians - especially the section in 4 and 5 I've been covering - is particularly potent.]
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children; and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 4:32-5:2)
I don't know anyone who hasn't been told at least once that they are very similar to their parents. Typically that sentiment is expressed by well-meaning friends/strangers until you're tired of hearing it, partially because it's so painfully obvious. Of course I'm like my parents. It's how science works - when two people contribute DNA to their child, the child picks up traits from both of them. That child looks like its parents physically, and usually acts like its parents in many ways. When it comes to those personality traits, arguments are made regarding "nature vs. nurture". Psychology scholars have pretty much come to the conclusion that it's both/and, not either/or. Just like I have my father's eyes and my mother's hair, built from codes in the genes they passed on, so also my brain that shapes some of my personality was built from those genes. Added to that basic brain structure is a whole lot of experience that has shaped the way I act. In my most formative years a lot of that experience revolved around my parents - both how they exposed me to the world outside and how they interacted with me personally.
Enough of the science lesson though, what does the have to do with God? To put it succinctly: We are God's children, and that should be as obvious to those around us as our earthly parentage. We are made in the image of God, and though His Word we have a wealth of instruction and examples on how we should live our lives. Just like your parents told you to share and say please, God tells you to repent and ask forgiveness. Just like you learned how to show kindness and caring from your parents, God gives us the ultimate example of sacrificial love and forgiveness through the death and resurrection of His Son. Because your parents taught you so much, you probably still go to them seeking advice and guidance. Even more so, we should seek our Heavenly Father's guidance when we are perplexed! Our earthly parents are certainly sent as a blessing to guide us, but they are still human, and still flawed by sin. God our Father is omnipotent and infallible. He will always have time to hear the prayers of His children, and He will always have the right answer. Look to Him as you would look to your parents, and look to Him when even your parents let you down.
Consider how incredible it is that you are a child of God. Imitate His ways, and learn from Him as you would learn from your family here on earth. Depend on His love as you depend on the love of your family.
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