Growing Up

12/20/08

Recently, I had the privilege of babysitting my niece's children for a couple days, ages 8 months, 3, 6 and 8 years. They are precious children and I love them dearly; however, I must say, I am not used to children. At least, not for long period's of time. They have such energy!

It brings back memories of days when I, too, was like the energizer bunny. I hated to stop. I was always running, and the most horrible tragedy on the planet was nap time. In fact, my older brother and sister used to offer to pay me if I would sit down and be quiet for a specified period of time. I always tried but, to my knowledge, I never made it ~ and certainly never received my compensation. They actually devised a game which worked for everyone. It was a special kind of Hide and Seek, called, Hide and Run. They would hide me and then tell me to be very quiet until someone found me. Then they would run away and enjoy some time to themselves. I was happy because they were playing a game with me. It made me feel very special to be the one they were hiding. Back then, I was tiny for my age and some of their hiding places were quite creative. I recall being zipped up in my coat and hung on a hanger in the closet, that was fun. Sometimes I would end up in the hamper under the clothes, And one of my personal favorites was being folded up into the Hide-a-Bed. (No, I'm not claustrophobic.) I always enjoyed the game and never realized until I was an adult that they just wanted some peace for a few minutes. We all have great fun laughing about it now, but I never completely understood how they felt until recently, when I had the opportunity of spending "quality time" with these four energetic children.

They taught me many things, mostly things about myself, things that need improvement ~ like patience, for instance. Justin, the three-year-old boy, especially gave me some insights into my relationship with God and His patience with me.

Justin is a busy young man, far too busy to stop long enough to hear me speak to him. There are numerous things in his world that need to be discovered and thoroughly investigated. They must be searched, dismantled, and scattered about for full disclosure. Nothing is off limits, in his mind, and he's quite sure that his mission is so important that everyone will understand his disregard for rules and boundaries. A top priority on his list was the Christmas tree. It is covered with fragile ornaments that glitter and shine, just begging to be picked up and examined. I would tell him to leave it alone. Only seconds later, I'd find him pulling an ornament from its branches. There seemed no amount of pleading, threatening, or time outs could deter him from his goal...until he broke something, or hurt himself. Then, he would begin to cry. By the end of the day, I felt as though I had been trampled by a screaming crowd of fans at a Garth Brooks concert (not that I've ever been or want to go to one.)

After the children were gone and all was quiet once more, I reflected on the events of the day and realized that this is how I am with God. He lays out boundaries and rules for me and I have often failed to see their importance. I have been about my business, disregarding His pleadings and warnings. I would see things in life that looked so shiny, so inviting. They couldn't possibly be bad for me, I reasoned. But, just like fly paper, from a distance looking like a gleaming strip of gold where everyone was dancing about and having a good time, once I joined them things looked very different, and I discovered, too late, that it was a trap of the enemy. God has often come to my rescue, and released me from the binds I get myself into. He forgives me and accepts me, assures me of His love, and then sets me free again, bidding me to "go and sin no more." Over and over I have failed; over and over He has forgiven me. This is the way of children. There is a learning process, a time during which they have the opportunity to grow up and see things differently. I believe God wants me to grow up. Can you imagine how sad it would be if Justin never grew up and remained that little boy forever?! God loves little children, but His design is for them to grow up in Him. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (1 Cor. 13:10-12)

God does not expect us to grow up in our power alone, for Jesus himself said, "of mine own self, I do nothing." But, He also calls us to, "be ye therefore perfect." How is this possible? God has promised that He will, if we ask Him, "create a new heart within us," and He tells us that He will write His laws upon our hearts. He will work in us "to will and to do of His good pleasure."

Yes, it is possible for me to be set free from the bondage of sin and stay within the safe boundaries of God's great "law of liberty." What wonderful news this is: "All of God's bidding's are enablings." He spoke, and it was so. His very word contains creative power. He has the power that will transform me ~ as I allow Him access to my heart and cooperate with Him. Praise the Lord! "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (Phil:4:13) He has the power to set us free from bad habits, even well-practiced ones of addictions. He can transform our lives and make us new.

It is my prayer that we will all grow up in Jesus ~ that we will put away childish things (seeking after our own foolish desires) and begin to listen to our Father's voice. He has great plans for our lives, and He wants us to grow up so that we can realize them.

Bonnie Morsette~12/20/08