My son has told me multiple times that he wanted to be like me. I’ve told him that is great, but I wanted him to be him, not me.
I think he is starting to finally realize this. We have similar but also completely different ways. He is mild mannered in temperament where I am pretty hostile and aggressive. We both are protectors, but in different ways. He is more interested in making money where I am more interested in accumulating knowledge and how to do things. Money to me is a means to an end to get that knowledge where I think for him it is all about appearance. He is all about dressing and smelling nice where I am more about functionality even if that means I may look like a fool. He is about putting forward a good front that is more business oriented where I am more about being who I am and putting on no fronts. I believe his self-esteem is very low where I am confident in my abilities. However, we are both Christian.
Now lets look at Jesus. He came to Earth because His Father sent him. He preached what His Father wanted Him to say in a way that made sense to a lot of people, but was still confusing to those that were not in tune with God. Jesus displayed love in many different ways and was angry at those that taught about God inappropriate ways. Jesus was pretty peaceful except when His Father was insulted. I am thankful that Jesus was like His Father.
Could you imagine a world where Christ taught He was better than God and was going to do His own thing and not sacrifice His life for ours. How about where He succumbed to the temptations presented by Satan? How about if He decided to show hatred versus love? What if He never preached what God wanted Him to say? Aren’t you thankful that Jesus said in the Garden of Gethsemane;
Luke 22:42 New International Version (NIV)
42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Are you upset that your son is not more like you? I know this is hard, but do not be. Your son and even your daughter will need to find their own way. This may lead them down paths where they behave in a way that you do not understand. I know that I have felt this way at times. However, my son needs to be his own man, not a clone of me.