By Ariel
Hi, I’m Ariel! 💖 This morning started with pancake batter on my nose, flour footprints on the floor, and the kind of laughter that made the kitchen feel like a worship song. While Daddy flipped banana pancakes and Alice tried to convince Fluffernutter that syrup counted as a vegetable, I stirred in the blueberries and thought about something Yaya said last night: “When we imitate good, we reflect God’s heart.”
That made me wonder—like really wonder—what does it look like when someone reflects God’s character? Is it like a mirror? Or more like a lamp that glows from the inside out?
I started watching—like a tiny faith scientist in observation mode. Mommy’s hands helped a neighbor carry groceries. Poppy fixed the squeaky porch swing without being asked. And Alice shared her last pancake (with a bite already taken, but still… major progress). None of those things were huge, but together, they shimmered like stained glass catching light.
And that’s when it hit me. Maybe reflecting God’s goodness doesn’t always mean doing something big and flashy. Maybe it means choosing kindness, again and again, until your whole day shines like Jesus.
Wanna explore that with me?
🌟 The Call to Imitate Goodness
During family Bible study last night, we all sat in a cozy circle—Alice wrapped in her fuzzy blanket, Yaya holding her well-loved Bible, and Bash (our dog) sprawled across my notebook. Daddy opened to 3 John 1:11 and read it slowly:
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.”
Then Daddy explained, “John’s message is simple but powerful: the choices we make—big or small—show whether we’re walking close to God or wandering away from Him. Doing good is like shining a flashlight that says, ‘I know God and I follow Him!’”
I looked up and asked, “But how do we know what’s good and what’s not?”
Daddy smiled and said, “Anything that lines up with God’s Word is good. If it reflects God’s character—like love, kindness, truth, or forgiveness—then you can be sure it’s good. And guess what? Jesus is our perfect example. When we follow Him, we’re imitating goodness in real life.”
Alice, hugging Mr. Fluffernutter like he was taking notes too, whispered, “So if we stick with Jesus, we’ll do good stuff?”
Yaya nodded gently. “Exactly. Following Jesus isn’t just about not doing bad things—it’s about choosing to live like Him. That means being kind when someone’s having a rough day, forgiving even when it’s hard, and standing up for what’s right. The more we reflect His goodness, the more our lives become little mirrors of His love.”
I started thinking about that—how even small things, like sharing a snack or helping Mommy clean up, could shine God’s light. It’s kind of amazing that something as tiny as a kind word could echo something as big as Heaven.
🧠 Let’s Reflect Together!
- Can you think of something kind you did this week that made someone smile?
- How do you know when a choice reflects God’s heart?
- Is there someone in your life who reminds you of Jesus because of how they treat others?
💡 Memory Tip: When you’re not sure what to do, ask, “Would this make Jesus proud?” That’s your compass!
💡 The Call to Imitate What Is Good
One verse lit up our Bible study like a flashlight in a dark room:
“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
— 3 John 1:11 (KJV)
Daddy gently folded his Bible and said, “John isn’t just warning us about evil—he’s inviting us to choose goodness on purpose. Imitating goodness means living like Jesus. It’s not just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about looking for ways to do what’s right, loving, and true, even in the small stuff.”
I blinked at that. “So… even when it’s hard or when no one else notices, we should still choose good?”
Daddy nodded. “Exactly. Every good choice—big or tiny—is like planting a seed of God’s love. Helping someone carry their backpack, speaking up for a friend, or writing a kind note when someone’s having a rough day—that’s all part of reflecting God’s character. It’s how the world knows who we belong to.”
Alice, who had been busy braiding Mr. Fluffernutter’s ears, whispered, “Does being good make us like little lightbulbs for Jesus?”
Yaya smiled. “That’s a perfect way to say it. When we imitate Jesus by choosing love, kindness, patience, and truth, we light up the world around us. And that light? It’s contagious. People notice. They feel God’s love through us, and it might even lead them to ask, ‘Why are you so kind?’—and then we get to say, *‘Because Jesus is kind to me.’”
I wrote that down in my journal:
“Be a lightbulb. Powered by grace. Sparked by choice.” ⚡💡
✏️ Wonder Time: Let’s Think + Talk!
- Have you ever done something kind that made someone’s day better—even if they didn’t say thank you?
- What’s one small way you could reflect God’s character at school, church, or home today?
- Why do you think choosing good things is sometimes hard—but worth it?
📝 Try This:
Draw a picture of yourself as a lightbulb for Jesus. What good choices power your glow?
⚠️ The Consequences of Imitating Evil
Daddy read the second part of 3 John 1:11, and I felt the room get really still:
“…he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
— 3 John 1:11 (KJV)
He looked up and said, “That’s a strong warning, isn’t it? John isn’t just talking about little mistakes—he’s showing us how serious it is to choose evil. If someone continues to do what’s wrong without caring or wanting to change, it means their heart isn’t connected to God. We can say we believe in Jesus, but what we do shows whether we really know Him.”
I nodded slowly, trying to understand. Alice’s forehead scrunched up. “But… if I mess up, does that mean I don’t love God?”
Her question was so real and honest. I kind of wanted to ask it too.
Daddy leaned closer and said gently, “We all make mistakes. That’s why Jesus came—to forgive, to rescue, to bring us back to God. What matters is what happens next. If your heart feels sorry, and you want to do better, that’s a sign you’re still walking with Jesus. God’s mercy is always bigger than our mess-ups.”
Yaya chimed in, her voice warm and hopeful. “Imitating evil is like stepping away from the light. But God’s light never stops shining. We just need to turn back toward it. Every single day, we get the choice: Will I follow the goodness of Jesus, or go my own way?”
She looked at Alice and smiled. “Your heart already wants to follow Jesus. That’s what matters most. When you make a mistake—and you will, because we all do—just talk to Him. Ask for forgiveness, and try again with love in your heart.”
That made me think: maybe the real danger isn’t messing up… it’s pretending the mess doesn’t matter. But when we reflect God’s character, we become brave enough to admit our wrongs—and hopeful enough to try again.
🔍 Let’s Dig Deeper Together
- Can you think of a time when you did something wrong and then asked God to help you do better?
- Why do you think John’s warning is so serious?
- How can we encourage others to turn back to God when they feel far from Him?
📝 Mini Journal Prompt:
Draw two paths—one that leads away from God, and one that leads toward Him. What do you think you’d see along each one?
✨ A Godly Life Reflects God’s Goodness
We were still gathered around the living room floor, Bible pages crinkling softly as Daddy gently closed his. He looked at us and said:
“John teaches that a godly life is marked by doing good—not out of duty, but because God’s love changes us from the inside out. When we know Him deeply, His goodness shows up in our everyday choices.”
I sat up straighter and asked, “So when we do good things, it shows the world that we’re following Jesus?”
Daddy smiled and nodded. “Exactly. A godly life reflects God’s character. People can see God’s love through how we live—especially when we show kindness, patience, or forgiveness. When we imitate goodness, it points others to Him. It’s like we become living arrows, quietly saying, ‘Look at how amazing Jesus is!’“
Yaya added, “A life that reflects God’s goodness invites others into hope. It doesn’t mean we’re perfect—it means we’re learning to live with purpose. Our actions become a testimony of grace. Even simple choices—like telling the truth, standing up for someone, or praying for a friend—can spark curiosity in others. That curiosity? It might just be the first step on their journey toward God.”
That made me think of how Mommy always says, “You might be the only Bible someone reads today.” I didn’t really understand it before—but now, I think it means our lives should look like God’s love in motion.
🌈 Let’s Reflect!
- What does it mean to you to live a “godly life”?
- How can your actions reflect God’s goodness this week?
- Have you ever noticed someone whose kindness made you wonder about their faith?
📝 Activity Idea:
Make a “God’s Goodness Jar!” Each time someone in your family sees a kind or loving act, write it on a slip of paper and add it to the jar. At the end of the week, read them together and celebrate how God’s love is shining through your home!
💪 Practical Ways to Live Out God’s Goodness
After reading 3 John 1:11 and talking about what it means to imitate goodness, we started brainstorming how to actually do it—like in real life, with real challenges, and real people.
We came up with three ways to help us live out goodness every day:
✅ 1. Choose Good Over Evil (Even When It’s Hard)
I said, “I can choose to do good, even when I feel tempted to do something wrong.”
Sometimes the easy path—like staying quiet when someone’s being left out or taking credit for something I didn’t do—feels safer or quicker. But choosing the harder right over the easier wrong? That’s where real courage lives.
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
When I pause and ask, “Does this reflect Jesus?”, it helps me make better choices. Even if no one else sees, God sees—and He honors hearts that chase after what’s right.
💖 2. Reflect Christ’s Goodness in Friendships
Alice, cuddling Mr. Fluffernutter, added: “When I play with my friends, I can share and be kind instead of being bossy. That shows them what Jesus is like.”
I thought that was super smart.
Every moment with others is a tiny chance to reflect Christ’s love—whether we’re sharing a snack, letting someone go first, or forgiving a mistake.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:35 (NIV)
When we’re kind and respectful, we become walking love letters from God—proof that His grace is real and His people live differently.
🛡️ 3. Guard Your Heart and Mind
Yaya reminded us: “Be mindful of who you spend time with, what you watch, and what you let fill your heart. The more goodness you surround yourself with, the easier it becomes to live in God’s light.”
It made me think: just like my journal can get messy if I scribble random junk inside it, my heart can get cluttered with things that pull me away from God. But when I fill it with good stories, uplifting songs, and kind friends—it stays clear, ready to reflect His character.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
— Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
🧠 Your Turn to Reflect!
- What’s one way you’ve chosen good, even when it was tough?
- How do your friendships help you grow in faith?
- What’s one thing you could change this week to better guard your heart?
📝 Challenge Idea:
Create a “Goodness Tracker” journal! Each day, write down one good choice you made and how it made you feel. Add a verse or prayer to keep your heart focused on Jesus.
🌟 Family Activity: The Goodness Challenge!
This week, our family started something new and heart-growing: a “Goodness Challenge”! Every day, we each picked one way to reflect God’s goodness—whether it was showing kindness, helping someone in need, or simply being a light in someone’s cloudy day. We’d take turns sharing our daily “goodness goals” over breakfast, and it honestly made mornings way more meaningful than cereal alone ever could!
💝 A Simple Act That Sparkled
One of my favorite moments came from Alice. During a playdate, her friend looked a little lonely and left out. Without even thinking twice, Alice walked over and offered her most favorite toy—Mr. Fluffernutter’s backup cape! Her friend’s face lit up like a glowstick, and I could tell it meant everything.
“Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.”
— Proverbs 20:11 (NIV)
That tiny act of love reminded all of us that imitating goodness doesn’t need to be big to be bold. Sometimes, it’s just about noticing someone else’s need and stepping into it with love.
💬 Yaya’s Story of Forgiveness
Later that week, Yaya shared something that made the room extra quiet. She told us about a time when someone hurt her feelings very deeply—and how she chose to forgive them instead of staying angry.
“It wasn’t easy,” she said, “but God softened my heart. Forgiveness is one of the most powerful ways we can reflect His grace. It’s not just a gift to the other person—it’s freedom for our own hearts, too.”
I wrote that down in my journal:
“Forgiveness feels like flying when you were stuck to the ground.”
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
🕯️ Building a Culture of Kindness
Each night, we’d cozy up as a family and talk about what we learned that day. Some moments made us laugh, some made us think, and some made us really feel how powerful God’s love is when we share it. Slowly, day by day, our house began to feel like it was glowing with love and intentional kindness.
We realized something beautiful—every small act of goodness adds up. Each kind word, every selfless choice, each little prayer for someone else… they’re all pieces of a bigger picture: a life that reflects Jesus.
💡 Final Thought: Reflecting God’s Goodness Together
John’s call to imitate good is more than a memory verse—it’s a mission. One choice at a time, we get to become walking reflections of God’s character. And every time we choose compassion, patience, honesty, or forgiveness, we shine a little brighter for Him.
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.”
— 3 John 1:11 (NKJV)
We’re not perfect. But with God’s help, we can live a life of love that points people back to Jesus.
🌈 Let’s Keep the Goodness Going!
- What’s one act of goodness you can do today for someone in your family, school, or church?
- How does forgiveness help you feel closer to God?
- Can you think of a time someone showed you kindness that made your day better?
📝 Your Turn:
Start your own “Goodness Challenge” at home! Choose one good thing each day to reflect God’s heart—and don’t forget to share your stories in the comments below. You might inspire someone else to join the challenge too!
With sparkles, smiles, and a whole lot of love,
Ariel 💖
