Our entire family gathered for Easter dinner around our dining room table on Sunday. I had wondered if Jocelyn would balk at her seat this time or if she would be content with her usual seat. Somehow inside of me, I suspected change was coming.
And it did!
We began to take our seats and she was helped into hers as she said …. “But I don’t want to sit here.”
The room became silent as we all knew the tone could mean a struggle was about to go down. She would not be convinced to stay put, announcing resolutely, “I’m a big girl now. I wear undies and do poops in the potty!”
Her tone said it all – End. Of. Story.
We moved her usual seat away and went to get out another folding chair, moving some chairs to make room for another setting at the table. There was something about wanting to sit like everyone else at the table.
It reminded me of how all of us kids, while growing up, could not wait to be moved from the kids table to the grownup table.
It’s funny how we all hit a point in life and we want to grow up and we need to do so …
“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11, NLT)
God is so wanting His people to “grow up” in Him. He wants us to mature, our roots going deep in the soil of His Word and promises, growing into all He knows we can be.
And so today I pray for my grandchildren … Lord, I thank you that you are helping my grandchildren to develop and grow physically. I also pray that you would enable them to grow spiritually. Give them a desire to read Your Word increasingly as they mature. Instill in them the realization that they must rely on you. Teach them to pray by drawing them into conversing with You. May they grow in their love for You and desire to serve those around them. May they grow up in You so that they will be “mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4). It is in Your Name I pray, Amen.
Today I am joining … Three Word Wednesday and Tell His Story and Wedded Wednesday and Women With Intention .
Since my heart has been soaking in Hebrews so much lately, I couldn’t help but think of that author’s words to his readers: You should be teaching by now! There’s more about Melchizedek I want to say but you aren’t there yet!
That howl of disappointment must echo some of what God feels when He sees our slow growth and unwillingness to lean into Him.
I do love all that your little grandgirl is teaching us through you!
Michele, the mention of Hebrews 5:12 is a wonderful verse to add to this post and I am so glad you mentioned it. May we be grow in Him, in leaps and bounds, no matter the discomfort of the growing pains!
What a beautiful prayer for your precious grandchildren, Joanne. I love that she pointed out pooping in the potty meant she deserved a big girl chair. She is a smart little one :).
Growing up in Him really will make us all we are meant to be. I love that statement. It truly reveals so much.
Yes, Candace. May the things we do be reflective of our growth 🙂 It is always good to read your thoughts!
Yes! God does want us to grow up. May we all have that desire! Thanks, Joanne! Blessings to you and yours!
Mari-Anna, yes, may our desire be to grow up in Him, even if it means the discomfort of growing pains! Blessings to you!
I love this and it reminded me of when my w kids (ages 12 and 15 now) stopped using their chair and wanted to sit with us grownups. I am loving growing through God now more than I have ever before. God bless you
Shannon, it is amazing how we come to love (and embrace) growth as we come to understand that growth is truly for our good. I am grateful you brought that point out. Have a blessed Sunday!
Well said, Joanne! I recall our grandchildren wanting to be in “grown-up” chairs. One exception was a granddaughter who was very petite who enjoyed sitting in the portion of the high chair that was minus the tray so she could be nearly as tall as a sibling next to her!! The photo with this is absolutely perfect! Happy to be your neighbor at the Linkup at Messy Marriage.
Pam, your comment so made me smile as I realized how we have this yearning in us to be “bigger”. Children certainly do go through that stage & so do we at times 🙂