Does He see Himself in you?

1 John 3:1-"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

Since I was a little girl, one of my favorite congregational hymns to sing has always been "The Family of God."  A portion of the lyrics read:  "I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God, I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!  Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I'm part of the family, The Family of God."  When I was younger, I was curious as to what the family of God would look like.  Since we are made in His image, do we look like Him?   Does God recognize His heavenly attributes in us?  

In the short time my family has been members of Winfield First Baptist Church, I believe I've gotten a better idea of just what that family looks like.  Throughout the church, I see people who have His eyes.  Those with His eyes look for people who need encouragement.  They look for ways they can serve others.  Those who have His eyes see the beauty in sharing His love with others.  They are always looking for a way to reach out to those in need.

I have also seen individuals who have hands like God's.  They find joy in serving others.  I see His hands at work in the nursery, in Sunday School classes, in the kitchen, and all over the church.  I see His hands in the hands of those who hold steady to the hands of the hurting.  I see His hands reaching out in Christian fellowship every Sunday morning.  I see hands filled with His compassion and mercy, giving time and money to feed the needy, to clothe the poor, and to love the unloved.

I see His feet in the pictures of missionaries that have come out of our church.  I see His footprints leading the feet of so many people doing His work in our community and beyond.  Romans 10:15 says,  "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"  Our church must be full of people who have feet like His!  

In my musings about God's family, I was reminded of my own earthly father.  He has been known to pull out his wallet to show off pictures of his grandchildren in the middle of Wal-Mart or any other place he happens to be.  I'd like to think that God pulls an angel aside from time to time and shows him our pictures and tells what good things He sees in us. The thing I want most is for God to show off my picture and say, "Now, this one--this one has my heart!"  Oh, to have a heart like His!  My heart may not look like His, but He lives in my heart--and that makes all the difference!

While we are an imperfect family serving a perfect Lord, we are striving to take on more of His attributes.      I am grateful to be a part of His family!  

1 Corinthinans 3:18-"And we all...are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord..."