1236) As I was exposed to figures of speech growing up, I always wondered where the phrases originated. For example, I heard someone say that another person let the cat out of the bag and when I was old enough to reflect; I wished I had some way to learn about its origins. (After all, we didn’t have Google then.) Today, I can click a few keys and find that this phrase can be traced back to dishonest dealings in old marketing days. A person substituted a cat for a piglet, a valuable commodity, and if the buyer were wise, he would open the bag and let the cat out, exposing the fraud.

Another thing I have wondered about is the childhood game, Simon Says. Who is Simon? In my exploration, I have found several explanations, but the one I like best tells us that Simon is the disciple, Simon Peter. This passionate disciple is known for his denial of Jesus. Later, when the risen Jesus asks Peter if he loves him, Peter replies, “Of course I love you.” Therefore, the game is to do what Simon says (love Jesus) and not what he does (deny Jesus).

Whether this truly reflects the history of this game, 1 Thessalonians 1:6 tells us that people became imitators of Paul. This is a reminder we’re not playing a game like Simon Says because people will weigh our words with what our actions communicate.

If people are imitators of you, what are they imitating?